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DCH Seeks Input about Medicaid and CHIP Redesign Initiative

DCH Seeks Input about Medicaid and CHIP Redesign Initiative

September 2, 2011

Deadline to Apply to Participate in Statewide Focus Groups is Tuesday, September 13

ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is seeking stakeholder input for its Medicaid and CHIP Redesign initiative. The Department is the state agency responsible for Medicaid Program and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP/PeachCare for Kids®), providing access to medical services and health care coverage for nearly 1.6 million Georgians. The deadline to apply to participate in one of 30 statewide focus groups is Tuesday, September 13.

The goal of the Medicaid and CHIP Redesign program is to assess our current Medicaid and CHIP systems and to look at new and innovative delivery models that can meet the growing challenges of delivering quality and affordable health care to our Medicaid population," said DCH Commissioner David A. Cook. "The process will analyze strategic options to manage the financing of Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids, as well as exploring improvements in the delivery of affordable quality health care for the programs.

DCH has engaged Navigant Consulting Inc., a management consulting firm with significant experience in redesigning state Medicaid programs, to perform the following activities:

  • Assess the model and structure of Georgia's current Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs
  • Conduct a national environmental scan of Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs
  • Collect and evaluate ideas for innovation as well as the financing and delivery of Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids benefits
  • Assess options for any redesign or modification of Georgia's current program to provide Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids members access to quality care
  • Assist in the procurement and implementation of the desired solution

"One of the first steps in the process is to garner input from our various stakeholders through these statewide focus groups," said Jerry Dubberly, chief of Georgia Medicaid. "The information will give us an excellent assessment of all aspects of Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs, and it will provide an opportunity for providers, consumers, advocacy groups and vendors to voice their opinions as we move forward."

Medicaid in Georgia is facing a number of challenges in the coming years under the newly expanded eligibility criteria of the new Health Care Reform law. It is projected that the state's Medicaid rolls will increase by at least 650,000 between 2014 and 2020. The state estimates that an additional $25 billion in state and federal funding will be needed to cover Medicaid expansion between 2014 and 2020.

It is expected that the work by Navigant will address:

  • the most appropriate approach for providing services to the varied Medicaid populations and CHIP members,
  • plans for sustained access to quality health care services in all geographic areas of Georgia,
  • opportunities to enhance administrative efficiencies for DCH, providers and contractors in the oversight and delivery of health care services to Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids members,
  • overall Medicaid and CHIP expenditures, and opportunities for budget predictability and cost management, and
  • pragmatic implementation strategies to include an analysis of service gaps or potential weaknesses in the current Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs, and how to address such gaps or weaknesses.

The focus group participation application is available online at www.dch.georgia.gov. Click on the "Medicaid Redesign" link on the right-hand side of the page, then click on "Participant Application" to complete the form by Tuesday, September 13.

Additionally, an online survey that can be accessed through the DCH website will be available shortly.

DCH welcomes input and encourages stakeholders to participate in the focus groups or online surveys. For more information, please visit the DCH website at dch.georgia.gov. If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail DCH at navigant@dch.ga.gov.

About the Georgia Department of Community Health
The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) conducts the business of health care for Georgians. Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, 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.

Contact Information: 
Pamela A. Keene