Frequently Asked COVID-19 Questions

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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. HCA response: These are issues we are working on through our Medicaid Transformation ‘concurrence letter’ request that should be finalized this week. The current draft language includes the following: 1.1. Regarding VBP, the state will continue to monitor the impacts of COVID-19 and will make any necessary adjustments through the VBP Roadmap and Apple Health Appendix. The state requests flexibility to adjust the DY4 and DY5 VBP targets recognizing COVID-19 may impact the ability for providers to take on additional risk. We will continue to communicate updates on this. (March 2020)



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. Answer: Health Care Authority is working hard on this issue, and information and solutions are ongoing. HCA is working to address this. Please reach out if there is new information or if you would like to discuss further. We are taking this issue seriously and continue to work on strategies for relief and support. (March 2020)



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.

Do you have a question that is not addressed here? Submit your question to OCH@olympicch.org.