Medicaid Directors Ask To Shift Beneficiaries to Managed Care

The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) sent a letter to the “Super Committee” urging them to “seize this historic opportunity” to make constructive changes to Medicaid by granting states more flexibility to move beneficiaries -- including dual eligibles -- into managed care programs without first obtaining a waiver or permission from CMS. The NAMD also seeks direct authority to conduct shared savings initiatives, similar to the Medicare accountable care organizations, and argues that patient-focused management tools -- such as meaningful co payments - can provide important incentives to drive effective care when combined with health homes and other integrated care models.