As the 2020 fiscal year gets underway, the state of Iowa continues its privatization of Medicaid with two Managed Care Organizations.

Sources say Iowa Total Care and Amerigroup have signed contracts to provide Medicaid coverage, along with an 8.6-percent increase in funding, or $386 million. Greene County Medical Center CEO Carl Behne says with the increase in funding, he still sees issues with the MCOs.

“We don’t see the trickle-down effect of that to our providers or that many more services to our patients. I know they’re talking about expanding some mental health and some hepatitis testing, and I also know the state is talking about holding them more accountable, I’m hopeful.”

Behne says he’s cautiously optimistic about the accountability issue.

“I’m a little nervous to think that the words are going to have much backup at this point. But hopefully I’ll be able to see it and then be able to talk back with you here in three-six months and say, ‘Yeah they actually put some teeth to the words that they are putting in there. But right now, I’m very skeptical.”

Behne notes that some improvements have been made in getting reimbursements from the MCOs, but now with Iowa Total Care coming on, he adds the process will continue to be a challenge.