Passport, Humana and Anthem to offer service to Medicaid members across Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky has signed contracts with three managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide healthcare services to Kentuckians who will be newly eligible for coverage under the expansion of Medicaid, a provision of the Affordable Care Act.

Beginning on Oct. 1, 2013, individuals in 104 Kentucky counties who are determined to be newly eligible for Medicaid will be able to choose Anthem, Humana or Passport as their healthcare provider for coverage effective Jan. 1, 2014. The three new MCOs are in addition to Coventry and WellCare, which are currently serving this area.

Under the terms of the contract, the three MCOs will initially serve exclusively the more than 300,000 who will be newly eligible for Medicaid under the expansion on Jan. 1, 2014. Contracts awarded to the three MCOs are for an initial 18 months with three, one-year renewal options. Beginning in July 2014, the 540,000 who are currently Medicaid members will also be able to choose Anthem, Humana or Passport as their managed care company or may choose to stay with their current MCO.

“More than 300,000 Kentuckians are expected to be newly eligible for healthcare coverage through Medicaid beginning in January 2014,” said Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Audrey Tayse Haynes. “As a part of the Cabinet’s continuing effort to expand choice and access to care, I am pleased that we are able to offer these new Medicaid members the opportunity to choose from such reputable providers. We are excited about the improved health outcomes that will result from so many people having health insurance coverage, many for the first time.”

The contracts awarded today to Anthem, Humana and Passport cover seven of eight Medicaid regions. Jefferson and the 15 surrounding counties that make up Region 3 were not included in this solicitation.

Last October, the state awarded contracts to four MCOs in Region 3; Coventry Cares, Humana, Passport and Wellcare of Kentucky after the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) advised the Cabinet that Region 3 could no longer operate with a single managed care provider. Those contracts took effect in Jan. 1, 2013. These companies will provide coverage to the newly eligible Medicaid population beginning Jan. 1, 2014.