No Patient Action Needed at this Time
(WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – December 31, 2017) UnityPoint Health® and Amerigroup Iowa (Amerigroup) announced today they have agreed to a short term extension of their existing Medicaid Health Plan contract. Both parties have negotiated in earnest, and have agreed to extend the original December 31 contract termination date while discussions about the potential of a new contract continue. A final decision is expected to be made by January 12, 2018.
“UnityPoint Health understands the frustration not having a decision by the year-end deadline may cause our patients, but believes we will have a decision in early 2018,” said Sabra Rosener, vice president, government and external affairs, UnityPoint Health. “A resolution to our Medicaid managed care agreement with Amerigroup would allow our patients to continue to receive care from their trusted UnityPoint Health providers and facilities. UnityPoint Health remains committed to serving Medicaid members and improving the experience, quality and cost of care for Iowans and hopes we will be able to continue to do so in partnership with Amerigroup.” UnityPoint Health and Amerigroup understand patients/members who are covered under the Amerigroup Medicaid plan are awaiting an update on this issue. Individuals covered by the Amerigroup Medicaid plan do not need to make any changes to their doctors or health plan to continue their care with UnityPoint Health at this time. Formal notice will be provided to identified Amerigroup patients/members, once a decision is reached.
“Amerigroup’s top priority is the health and well-being of our members,” said Cynthia MacDonald, Amerigroup Iowa president. “We are committed to providing members with access to a comprehensive network of health care providers, and we’re pleased that our members can continue to receive care from UnityPoint Health without disruption while we keep working to finalize a new contract.” For more information, Amerigroup members can:
· Visit the UnityPoint Health website for any updates as they become available at www.unitypoint.org/IowaMedicaid.
· Contact Amerigroup Iowa member services at (800) 600-4441.
· Contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services toll-free Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (800) 338-8366 or (515) 256-4606 in the Des Moines area; or visit http://dhs.iowa.gov/iahealthlink. ###
