David A. Cook, Commissioner	Nathan Deal, Governor

DCH Releases Medicaid and CHIP Redesign Strategy Report

DCH Releases Medicaid and CHIP Redesign Strategy Report

ATLANTA (January 20, 2012) – The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) released its Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) Redesign Strategy Report today. It is posted on the DCH website at www.dch.georgia.gov/medicaidredesign.

“In these challenging economic times, one of our statewide priorities is to continue to provide access to cost-effective, quality health care for all our citizens -- including those treated through our Medicaid safety-net providers,” said Gov. Nathan Deal. “DCH’s Medicaid Redesign Initiative will allow the state to examine new and innovative program delivery models so that we can develop value-based solutions to help us achieve program and financial sustainability.”

The report is the result of months of research, fact finding and information gathering from consumers, physicians, hospitals, advocates, legislators and other stakeholders, as well as numerous reviews of Medicaid programs in other states.

In the first phase of the Medicaid and CHIP Redesign, which took place from September to December 2011, Navigant Consulting conducted both national and Georgia-specific environmental scans, managed 30 statewide focus groups and reviewed more than 400 online surveys from stakeholders.

“Now that the report has been delivered, we will begin our review and analysis to assimilate the information…building on what is currently working and re-building what can be working better for those we serve,” said DCH Commissioner David A. Cook. “During this evaluation process, we will identify opportunities to eliminate unnecessary and costly bureaucratic red tape, ease administrative burdens, enhance efficiencies and improve access and health care outcomes in a fiscally responsible way.”

The Strategy Report includes information that will allow Georgia officials to:

• Assess what is currently working and what could be working better here in Georgia;
• Discover the innovation in what others around the nation are doing and how that    innovation can be used or even improved upon here in Georgia;
• Create and implement value-based program, financial and service delivery models that will better serve members, providers and Georgia’s taxpayers; and
• Monitor and improve on these models on a continuing basis.

“As we move into this part of the Recommendation phase, we will evaluate the report against our previously adopted weighted goals and strategies,” Cook said. “Our major goals are to enhance appropriate use of services by members, achieve long-term sustainable savings in services, and improve health care outcomes for members.”

The public and all interested stakeholders can view the report at www.dch.georgia.gov/medicaidredesign. Feedback about the report is welcomed, in two preferred ways: detailed comments entered through an online feedback tool at the DCH website  www.dch.georgia.gov/medicaidredesign or brief comments sent via e-mail to MyOpinion@dch.ga.gov.

About the Georgia Department of Community Health

Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.

DCH is responsible for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids,^® the State Health Benefit Plan, Healthcare Facility Regulation and Health Information Technology in Georgia.

David A. Cook serves as Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Community Health. To learn more about DCH and its dedication to A Healthy Georgia, visit www.dch.georgia.gov.