Medicaid Reform: More managed care options available; Differences limited by federal and state requirements (Report No. 08-38)

O'Dare Wilson, Kellie (author)

Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)

2008

Medicaid Reform seeks to provide beneficiaries with additional choices of managed care options tailored to meet their needs. While Reform has succeeded in increasing the number of managed care plans operating in the five Reform counties, there is limited variation in the health services offered by the plans, and they are also generally similar to managed care plan options offered in non-Reform counties. In addition, only one Medicaid Reform specialty plan (Children’s Medical Services) has become available in Broward and Duval counties. Medicaid Reform plans have customized their service offerings somewhat for different beneficiary groups, although this customization has been limited by federal and state requirements. Some Reform plans offer higher limits on some medical services and provide additional extra services to aged and disabled beneficiaries. Medicaid Reform benefits packages have generally remained similar over the first two years of the initiative, with a few plans offering higher benefit levels, additional extra services, and fewer co-payments in the second year.

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