Creating Seamless Coverage Medicaid State of Iowa hawk-i

Creating Seamless Coverage: Medicaid State of Iowa hawk-i

Introduction n Recent Developments n Increase in resources and commitment focused on the coordination of Medicaid and hawk-i n n Creation of full-time hawk-i Policy Specialist position (October 2003) Addressing this issue was elevated to high priority by top level management (September 2003)

Goals n Ensure ALL children who lose Medicaid, due to excess income, are referred to hawk-i. n Ensure ALL children losing hawk-i and eligible for Medicaid are referred to Medicaid.

Changes Implemented to Date n 1. Awareness & Education Campaign n n Began in April 2003 Efforts include field visits to all areas in the state

Changes Implemented to Date (continued) n 2. System Changes n Automated electronic referral system n Informal and formal service requests for changes to computer system to meet goal n n Results to include: automatic electronic referral, automatic reminder email message for referral, creation of management reports, and additional wording will be added to certain Medicaid notices of decision. A referral history will be maintained on the eligibility file.

Program Baselines hawk-i Data Notes: Approximately 40% of all hawk-i applications are referred to Medicaid. Applications denied data includes applications who did not become eligible for hawk-i because they were referred to Medicaid. This data represents individuals.

Program Baselines (continued) Medicaid Data

hawk-i Grassroots Outreach Survey Results n Survey to Outreach Coordinators (November, 2003) n Out of 26 Outreach Coordinators surveyed, 24 responded as follows: n Question 1: How often do you believe the referral process is occurring between Medicaid and hawk-i in your area? n n Responses: n Never – 2 n Sometimes – 16 n Almost Always – 5 n Always – 1 Question 2: How efficient do you believe this process is? n Responses: n Not Efficient – 7 n Somewhat Efficient – 11 n Efficient – 5 n Very Efficient – 1 * Note: This survey reflects the outreach coordinators perceptions of the referral process, which may not be consistent with referral data.

Conclusions n n n Streamlining the system will help ensure continuity of health care coverage for consumers. Streamlining the system will reduce field staff workload. Awareness & Education Campaign will continue until all county offices receive training.

Conclusions (continued) n n Services will be monitored and measured for results. Implementation of the automated referral process will be completed within 6 months.