November 17, 2008

MO HealthNet officials made a presentation during a town hall meeting regarding the expansion of MO HealthNet into Southwest Missouri

Dr. Ian McCaslin presented the program. He is Director of the program along with deputies George Oestrich and Sandra Lovells.

McCaslin considered the public input a learning and listening opportunity. He emphasized that the earliest the program could be expanded would be July of 2010 and that an appropriation would need to be approved in the legislative session for this to happen.

McCaslin emphasized there would be no change in eligibility for children, pregnant women and adults now covered in the system. The expansion would be a move from the fee for service system to the managed care MO HealthNet.

McCaslin wants strong oversight and accountability.

McCaslin has concerns that:

1. some doctors simply don't like managed care
   
   
2. not all doctors will measure up to Health Plan criteria
   
   
3. the state has not done as well as it could have in holding managed care plans fully accountable to provide services to people- Mental Health was specifically cited.

My perception is that the 50+ presenters were adamant against the plan. Comments were received from behavioral health providers, dental providers, rural health centers and others.

A report will be posted on the website this week at www.dss.mo.gov/mhd.

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