DES MOINES – Today, the Branstad-Reynolds Administration released new information allegedly showing continued success of modernizing our state’s Medicaid program. Medicaid Modernization is ensuring that members get the right care, at the right time, at the right place. Iowa’s Medicaid program is also one of the most transparent, outcome-focused, and accountable programs in the country.
Healthier Iowans, Better Outcomes One Year into Modernization
- Preventing hospital admissions and reducing unnecessary readmissions.
- Empowering patients by knowing their health risk and needs.
- Coordinating care for most vulnerable patients and ensuring healthier outcomes.
- Utilizing preventive health and wellness services never offered before in Medicaid.
- Saving taxpayers $110 million in FY ’17 and $232 million in FY ’18.
Key Better Outcomes
o Hospital Admissions are down 54% overall
o 15 day readmissions are down 23%
o 30 day readmissions are down 26%
o 45 day readmissions are down 10%
o 60 day readmissions are down 2%
- Unprecedented Level of Health Risk Assessments: 238,530 health risk assessments and outreach to patients conducted in the first nine months.
- Health Care Coordination and Case Management: 68,107 patients with extremely complex medical needs have people coordinator and managing their health including 29,201 adults and kids with extremely complex behavioral health needs.
- Value-Added Preventative Health Services Utilized: 67,284 value-added services utilized included health and wellness tools and tobacco cessation programs.
Senators Mathis, Ragan respond to Branstad/Reynolds release on Medicaid privatization:
“Everything the Governor lists can be refuted by patients, providers and advocates. Don’t believe this blather,” said Senator Liz Mathis of Robins. “We still have big issues with pre-authorization, physicians dropping hundreds of Medicaid patients and millions of dollars of claims left unpaid to providers. That is far from a successful year.”
“The willingness of Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds to continue to mislead Iowans about their Medicaid privatization disaster is stunning,” said Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City. “Now it’s up to Lt. Gov. Reynolds to be honest with Iowans and start repairing the damage privatized Medicaid has brought to Iowa families, health care providers and taxpayers.”
