Medicaid Privatization Listening Post slated to be held in Waukon August 3 - Legislators seeking public input on decision to privatize Medicaid in the state of Iowa
State Representative Patti Ruff of McGregor has organized a listening post for Iowans and health care providers who have concerns about Medicaid privatization. The listening post will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, August 3 at the Robey Memorial Library Community Room, located at 401 First Avenue NW in Waukon.
“I’ve heard from several Iowa families and health care providers who have issues with Medicaid privatization,” said Ruff. “Our goal is to gather more information from local citizens and provide more information and answers to those who are affected.”
Rep. Ruff will be joined by State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, who is Vice Chair of the Senate Human Resources Committee. In addition to lawmakers, representatives from the Iowa Department of Human Services and the three managed care organizations have been invited to participate in the event.
Recent articles published in daily newspapers have indicated that Iowa care providers reported that they are struggling to be paid by the for-profit corporations who have taken over the administration of health care services to more than a half million Iowans on Medicaid.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad moved to privatize Medicaid in April of this year. Iowa Medicaid is a joint state and federal program and is a health care safety net for Iowa families dealing with severe accidents, long-term illnesses and disabilities. Roughly 70 percent of Medicaid funds are used to care for Iowans living with disabilities, as well as the elderly.
Anyone unable to make the public forum and still in need of answers to their questions is asked to contact Representative Patti Ruff directly at Patti.Ruff@legis.iowa.gov. Those seeking further information can also use the following contact information:
• For Iowa Medicaid Member - IME Member Services
Phone: 1-800-338-8366 (toll free) or 515-256-4606
Website: www.IAHealthLink.gov
Email: IMEMemberServices@dhs.state.ia.us
• For Iowa Medicaid Providers - IME Provider Services
Phone: 1-800-338-7909 (toll free) or 515-256-4609
Email: IMEProviderServices@dhs.state.ia.us
Provider Managed Care Organization Contacts:
https://dhs.iowa.gov/ime/providers/MCO-contact-info
• Managed Care Organizations
- Amerigroup Iowa, Inc.
Phone: 1-800-600-4441
www.myamerigroup.com/IA/
- AmeriHealth Caritas
Phone: 1-855-332-2440
www.amerihealthcaritasia.com
- UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley
Phone: 1-800-464-9484
www.UHCCommunityPlan.com/ia/
