DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state’s new IA Health Link program beginning on March 1, 2016, shared the below open letter today, which was sent to all of Iowa’s health care providers.
OPEN LETTER:
To all of Iowa’s Medicaid health care providers:
Since the moment we received word that we had been selected for IA Health Link, we have worked hard to get to know you and we appreciate you taking the time to get to know us. Our team has logged thousands of miles of travel across Iowa, meeting individually and in groups with representatives of hospitals, physician groups and community health organizations — approximately 300 provider office visits and 100 public meetings in all. The meetings have been exceptionally productive and we couldn’t be more excited to work with you and your teams.
We know the state’s move to managed care has been the subject of robust debate. But without fail, we have been welcomed hospitably to Iowa and providers across the state have engaged in honest, candid dialogue around how we can best work together. It’s clear that you are deeply committed to improving the health and well-being of Iowans. And it’s been very meaningful, in turn, how so many of you have shared your impression that we, at AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, are focused on exactly the same thing.
We are a mission-based health care company with roots as a neighborhood health plan started by the Sisters of Mercy to meet the growing need for quality care for the underserved, many of whom turned to emergency rooms as their primary source of care. Improving health care for those most in need is what we do every day. We have seen across the nation what managed care can do to help Medicaid recipients live better, healthier lives. We are incredibly excited to see those same benefits in Iowa.
We are grateful for the cooperation we have received in preparing to implement the many “extras” and programs that our integrated model of care brings to those who need those services most, such as personal, coordinated care, assistance with scheduling doctor’s appointments, arranging transportation and providing education about how to take medications properly. It is well documented that the personal attention Medicaid recipients receive under managed care programs such as ours help them to overcome the disproportionate health adversity they face. We appreciate you working with us to make those “extras” work extra hard.
We are particularly grateful to the providers who have agreed to be part of our network – a network, which is growing daily. With your help and partnership, we are on track to begin serving Iowans on March 1.
Thank you for welcoming us. And thank you for partnering with us. We are more confident than ever that IA Health Link will make a real difference in the lives of thousands of Iowans.
Very truly yours,
Cheryl Harding
Market President
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa
About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will participate in IA Health Link beginning in March 2016. AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.
About AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies
AmeriHealth Caritas is part of the Independence Health Group in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. AmeriHealth Caritas is one of the nation’s leaders in health care solutions for those most in need. Operating in 16 states and the District of Columbia, AmeriHealth Caritas serves more than 6.9 million Medicaid, Medicare and CHIP members through its integrated managed care products, pharmaceutical benefit management and specialty pharmacy services, behavioral health services and other administrative services. Headquartered in Philadelphia, AmeriHealth Caritas is a mission-driven organization with more than 30 years of experience serving low-income and chronically ill populations. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritas.com.
