Important Issues

Yesterday, the DC Department of Health Care Finance announced its intention to award the Medicaid managed care contract to AmeriHealth Caritas DC, MedStar Family Choice, and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan (formerly Trusted Health Plan).

The announcement is the culmination of a long process to select new programs for the upcoming year. This year's selection process was different in that the Department is in the process of transitioning nearly 20,000 fee-for-service beneficiaries to the managed care plan. This means the three MCOs needed to include planning for this transition in their bids as well.

“The selection of these three plans marks a major milestone in the District’s efforts to reform the Medicaid program. Through these new contracts, DHCF will implement universal contracting, expand value-based purchasing, and implement universal contracting to ensure a greater focus on access and accountability,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services and Department of Health Care Finance Director Wayne Turnage in a press release. “We look forward to our partnership with the plans as we expand and strengthen the managed care program for the Medicaid, Alliance, and Immigrant Children’s programs.”

The contracts now move to the Council for their approval.

Read more about the three awardees and the process here. You can also read more about the District's Medicaid reforms here.