A recent decision made by Governor Kim Reynolds caused the state to drop one of the two remaining Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) of privatization of Medicaid.

Republican State Senator Jerry Behn of Boone says there were several reasons why Reynolds chose to not renew the contract with UnitedHealthCare. Some of the reasons were that UnitedHealthCare didn’t want to be held accountable for timely and accurate claims during reprocessing and adjustments, compliance with requirements related to members’ services care plan and case notes, reducing the rate of emergency room usage and others. He adds that they also wanted the state to pay them an additional $30 million.

“When you look at the matrix that they wanted to be no longer held accountable for, I think the governor not only made the right decision, I think she made the only decision. And she just decided that at the end of the day it was not in the best interest of Iowans to move forward with a company that wanted more money and less accountability.”

UnitedHealthCare’s contract lasts through June, and Behn says there will be a transition plan developed over the next several months to ensure that Iowans get the care they deserve. He notes that there is a Senate Oversight Committee that is also looking into the MCO situation and monitoring it closely. Behn points out Iowa Total Care will be joining soon with second MCO Amerigroup.

Behn encourages anyone with questions or concerns with the MCO program to contact him. His email address is jerry.behn@legis.iowa.gov and his home number is (515) 432-7327.