(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced the State of Iowa has received final documents from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on the approval of the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan waivers. The waiver was finalized on Monday, December 30, 2013.

"This bipartisan, innovative plan fits the needs of our state and is yet another example of Iowa leading by offering Iowa-based solutions to complex problems," Branstad said. "Most importantly, the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan will empower Iowans to take control of their own health and improve the health of our state."

More than 65,000 Iowans have applied for coverage under the bi-partisan supported waivers, which include premium contributions. These premiums promote healthy behaviors, without loss of coverage, for Iowa Health and Wellness Plan members beginning at 50 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. The Iowa Department of Human Services' (DHS) website and contact center have accepted more than 14,000 applications since October 1, and the state streamlined the enrollment process for about 50,000 Iowans who had been on the IowaCare program and will now receive coverage through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

The State of Iowa worked with the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to finalize this modern plan, which will be administered by DHS. Officials anticipate that over the next 3 years, about 150,000 Iowans will sign up for the Iowa Wellness Plan (0-100 percent FPL) and the Marketplace Choice Plan (101-133 percent FPL).

In addition, the waivers will provide mental health and disability services for many Iowans who were not previously eligible. That compliments the work of the state's Mental Health Redesign.

"I'm pleased we have finalized the agreement with the federal government on our unique approach, and we are moving forward with serving Iowans," Reynolds said. "The Iowa Health and Wellness plan has always been built around the belief that healthcare should be focused on making citizens healthier. The plan fits perfectly with our goal to improve Iowans' health and become the healthiest state in the nation."

DHS officials will continue to work with CMS to streamline the enrollment process for Iowans, who have faced some setbacks because of delays at the federal website, HealthCare.gov.

Currently, DHS is encouraging Iowans who applied through HealthCare.gov - and were told they may be eligible for Medicaid - that they should reapply through the state website at dhsservices.iowa.gov or by calling 1-855-889-7985. The DHS website and contact center have fielded nearly 4,000 applications since the announcement last Friday.

Applications will be processed based on the date received, so DHS encourages Iowans who applied through HealthCare.gov to reapply through the state as soon as possible. If eligible, Iowans will have coverage the first day of the month in which their application is dated.

"DHS is making every effort to help Iowans get the coverage they qualify for so that we can help improve health outcomes across the state," said DHS Director Charles M. Palmer.

Help Prevent Lung Cancer in 2014 by Spreading Awareness

January 2014 has been declared "National Radon Action Month" according to the Evironmental Protection Agency.  Health agencies throughout the United States have joined forces to promote awareness of the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers.  The American Lung Association, Centers for Disease Control, and National Cancer Institute all agree that radon is a national health problem and encourage radon testing during the January awareness drive.

Radon is a naturally occuring, invisible and odorless radioactive gas.  One in 15 American homes contains high levels of radon.  Millions of Americans are unknowingly exposed to this dangerous gas.  In fact, a recent study by Harvard University ranks radon as America's leading in-home hazard.  By taking simple steps to test your home for radon and fix if necessary, this health hazard can be avoided.

Radon gas is not isolated to certain geographic areas or home types.  Radon problems have been detected in homes in every county in the U.S.  It has caused more American fatalities last year than carbon monoxide, fires and handguns combined!  If a home hasn't been tested for radon in the past two years, EPA and the Surgeon General urge you to take action.  Contact your state radon office for information on locating qualified text kits or qualified radon testers.

Learn more about national radon action month at www.RadonMonth.org

Friday, Dec. 20, 2013

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania said today they hope to advance their proposal to make it easier for the residents of Continuing Care Retirement Communities to receive Medicare services through care coordination and disease management services provided onsite.  These services would avoid hospitalizations and lower the total cost of care for seniors as they age in place, and their needs increase.

"The physician payments bill approved in committee depends on the creation of models where providers are willing to take on risk and provide quality care," Grassley said.  "If nursing home communities are willing to meet those goals and standards, we should allow them that opportunity.  The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation should be testing models like the one suggested in this amendment."

"While Congress has taken steps to more toward better care coordination, we must continue to look for innovative ways to move the Medicare program forward when treating beneficiaries with multiple chronic conditions," Casey said.  "I believe Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) in Pennsylvania and around the country are up to this challenge."

Grassley and Casey filed but not offer an amendment to the physician payments bill considered in the Finance Committee last week that would require the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to consider allowing Continuing Care Retirement Communities to receive Medicare services provided under a risk-adjusted, per-person payment arrangement.   Grassley and Casey said these arrangements could improve the efficiency and quality of senior care and align incentives to provide the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.

Medical homes, care coordination and disease management are among the most promising strategies for cost containment and quality improvement in health care delivery, especially the costs associated with Medicare beneficiaries with chronic conditions, the senators said.  There are currently 2,000 Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the United States.  Recent studies, including one in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate that a congregate senior living environment such as in Continuing Care Retirement Communities is the ideal setting to integrate strategies to lower costs and improve outcomes for Medicare seniors because of the near-constant interaction between staff and residents.

Under the Grassley-Casey proposal, the Continuing Care Retirement Communities would accept a diverse group of independent, non-acute seniors whose mix of chronic conditions could benefit from the care coordination and disease management services provided onsite to avoid hospitalizations and lower the total cost of care for seniors as they age in place and their needs increase.  An interdisciplinary health care team led by salaried primary care physicians would integrate comprehensive primary and post-acute health care services into the residential community and coordinate acute and specialist care.  Beneficiaries would receive Medicare services provided under a risk-adjusted, capitated payment arrangement.

Grassley and Casey said they will look for legislative opportunities to advance this proposal in the coming months.

Join ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer in our mission of ending prostate cancer by taking our annual patient education survey. This survey is for anyone who has ever been diagnosed with prostate cancer or has had a loved one diagnosed with prostate cancer.

By sharing your experiences with prostate cancer with us, we will be able to create educational materials and programs that are truly reflective of the patient experience.  You are the expert in your prostate cancer and only you can help someone else through the journey.

Our commitment to providing the best patient education information will ensure everyone impacted by prostate cancer has access to up to date information on the disease and its impact, the different treatment options available for prostate cancer today and how to find help and support throughout the prostate cancer journey. No one should have to face prostate cancer alone - ZERO is here to help.

Please CLICK HERE to launch the survey and tell us about your experience.

Complete this survey for the chance to win a Stop Cancer t-shirt! Once you complete the survey, you can enter our t-shirt drawing and sign up to receive ZERO's electronic newsletter. Thank you for taking the time to share your prostate cancer journey with us!