<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0f8uBY_0vfBzXEa00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0f8uBY_0vfBzXEa00" width="1200" height="800" ></figure>We found out that next year, the Maryland Department of Health will no longer work with Kaiser Permanente as one of its Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs).Because of this unusual move, about 109,000 residents will have to change their health care plans.Ryan Moran, MDH’s deputy secretary of healthcare finance, said, “After long contract talks, the Department of Health has decided not to sign a contract with Kaiser. We are working to make sure that those enrollees have a smooth transition to other health plans.”Eight more managed care groups, such as Aetna Better Health, CareFirst Community Plan, MedStar Family Choice, and others, have contracts that the state is still renewing.“The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to strengthening programs like Medicaid now and in the future,” Mr. Moran said. “This is to make sure that Maryland is healthier and a place where more people can work, grow, and thrive.”“All MCOs will have to make these changes after a thorough review of best practices and evidence that will support better health outcomes for Marylanders and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”Gene Ransom, CEO of the Maryland State Medical Society, says that Kaiser’s decision to leave Medicaid could have effects.“People in Prince George’s and Montgomery County, where Kaiser has a big presence, as well as parts of Baltimore County, will be hurt the most,” Ransom told me.Kaiser has an in-house care approach, which means that patients go to Kaiser facilities to see doctors. Ransom said that because the company lost more than 100,000 customers, it might have to think about how many sites it wants to run in Maryland. For commercially covered patients, this could mean something else.According to Kaiser spokesman Betty Hwang, the company is committed to being open and following the rules when it comes to reporting. They are also working with the Maryland Department of Health to address their worries and solve the problem.New rules are being put in place by MDH for its MCOs in 2025. It is not clear if these factors had anything to do with the contract falling through.As part of these duties, they must collect data to improve health equity standards and meet national equity standards.To keep quality and oversight high, MCOs must also meet certain hiring standards. All MCOs must have 14 leadership positions, one of which is a health equity director.Moran said that the equality steps will make sure that people in neighborhoods that might not have easy access to resources can get medical care that is covered.As an example, a business might sign a contract with a new medical transportation service to serve an area that was not being covered before.Maryland Medicaid will also start paying for programs for kids in jail before they get released.</div></body>

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Maryland ends its Medicaid service partnership with Kaiser Permanente

We found out that next year, the Maryland Department of Health will no longer work with Kaiser Permanente as one of its Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs). Because of this unusual move, about 109,000 residents will have to change their health care plans. Ryan Moran, MDH’s deputy secretary of healthcare...