On May 14, the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) notified the public of its intentions to release a request for proposal (RFP) on or around Dec. 22, 2021, to procure managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide care through the Iowa Health Link Medicaid program.
DHS intends to procure up to four contracts with MCOs to provide high quality health services to Iowans. Iowa currently has two existing MCO partners in Amerigroup Iowa (Anthem) and Iowa Total Care (Centene). Assuming those contracts are renewed, up to two additional MCOs could be introduced into the system.
As more information and known applicants are released, IHCA will be working to meet with the companies to explain the struggles currently experienced by long-term care providers.
A tentative timeline for this process is outlined below:
- Spring 2022: Question and answer period after release of the RFP.
- Summer 2022: Deadline for bid proposals.
- Fall 2022: DHS to award contract(s).
- Fall 2022: MCO on-boarding to begin.
- Spring 2023: MCO readiness review.
- Summer 2023: MCO operations begin.
For questions, contact Brandon Hagen, VP, Managed Care and Reimbursement, at 515-978-2204.