Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions
Medicaid Transformation Project and COVID-19 FAQs
Will there be leniency with OCH change plan deadlines?
Answer: Olympic Community of Health (OCH) understands that Medicaid transformation (e.g. your change plan) is not the focus or priority at this time. OCH anticipates there will be some sort of reporting during the next deadline (June) to be able to fulfill our requirement to Health Care Authority (HCA). We are committed to minimizing and simplifying reporting as much as possible. We are still waiting on guidance from HCA, who is in turn waiting for guidance from Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), so things are a bit uncertain here as well. Transformation work has paused across the state, so you are not alone. Please continue to focus your energies on taking good care of your clients and staff and we will keep you updated on our end as we learn more. (April 3, 2020)
Our region is newly under managed care and many providers have arrangements for performance incentives under value-based contracts. Is it possible for MCOs to pay those incentives regardless?
Question: Our region is newly under managed care and many providers have arrangements for performance incentives under value-based contracts. Given COVID-19, it seems unlikely that providers will be able to achieve all performance metrics this year. Is it possible for MCOs to pay those incentives regardless? As we know, many providers are facing financial hardship right now, are laying off staff or furloughing, and we’d like to see as many stay open as possible on the other side of this pandemic. Please advise.
Can HCA work with MCOs to ensure partners are paid up-to-date?
Question: Many providers in our region were already suffering financially in the early part of this year given our January 1, 2020 transition to Integrated Managed Care (IMC). Many report not being paid at all or in full by MCOs for January and February and things are only getting worse with COVID-19. Can HCA work with MCOs to ensure partners are paid up-to-date? At least one provider in my region (SUD treatment) will close their doors permanently as of 4/1 if not paid for January and February work.
NOTE: The responses below are not official statements or represtention of other Accountable Communities of Health or the Health Care Authority. The answers are provided by the OCH staff in hopes to provide clarity and support to partners during these uncertain times.
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