Neighborhood Health Plan announced to partnering providers and organizations that they are withdrawing from the Dual Eligible Demonstration Project as an ICO, or Integrated Care Organization.
NHP was one of six groups that were working to become an ICO, but dropped out due to concern about payment rates conveyed from the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
“EOHHS and CMS have acted in good faith to mitigate many of the factors involved in the rate discussions and unfortunately, for NHP, the final proposed rate structure, as projected, would result in substantial losses for NHP,” stated the emailed announcement. “We feel that it is in our best interest at this time not to pursue the Duals demonstration further.”
The Home Care Alliance spoke with NHP and met with other potential ICO’s with most expressing concern about the rates of payment. For months, stakeholders have been told that providers will receive no less than Medicare payments for Medicare services and no less than Medicaid payments for Medicaid services, but it is unclear if that is the case.
The Home Care Alliance will be attending the next “open stakeholder” meeting on April 19th in Shrewsbury to obtain more information.
“We strongly believe in the potential of truly integrated care models to improve care for the dually eligible and all Medicaid populations,” the NHP statement continued. “We wish your organization and the remaining ICOs much success.”
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