The two largest health organizations serving Medicaid recipients in the state-- Intermoutain Health Care and UnitedHeathCare-- are dropping out of the program.
That could affect some 50,000 needy residents.
News Specialist Carole Mikita has reaction to the story.
Utah Department of Health managers are meeting with other Medicaid HMOs and IHC to formulate a coverage plan through the state.
Advocates for the needy are concerned that all services to Medicaid recipients remain intact and that everyone is taken care of.
Tina Johnson has a rapidly progressing type of Multiple Sclerosis. She depends on feeding tubes, catheters, a home health nurse, oxygen and IV medication every month, and her helper dog, Vino, all the time. Medicaid pays for everything.
She is one of the 50,000 Utahns who will be affected by Intermountain Health Care and UnitedHealthCare dropping out of that program.
Tina Johnson/Medicaid recipient: "THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AND CHRONIC ILLNESSES, ELDERLY, THAT STILL THINK THE SYSTEM'S ALWAYS RIGHT, THE DOCTOR'S ALWAYS RIGHT. AND THEY DONT' SPEAK OUT FOR THEMSELVES. THOSE PEOPLE WILL DO WITHOUT SERVICES BECAUSE THEY WON'T KNOW HOW TO ACCESS TO GET THEM."
Intermountain Health Care will close its Medicaid HMO plan at the end of the year because of $11-million in losses.
IHC issued this statement:
"It's important to know Medicaid patients will still have coverage for their health needs. Persons covered by Medicaid will have coverage through the state and IHC hospitals and clinics will still treat patients covered by Medicaid."
Health advocate Judi Hilman is concerned that recipients not be confused by any changes in paperwork, and is hoping for a smooth transition for critical care patients.
Judi Hilman/Utah Issues Health Analyst: "IT WILL STILL BE MEDICAID. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME KIND OF COORDINATION OF CARE. IT'S JUST THE THING THAT'S A LITTLE SHAKEY RIGHT NOW IS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT FORM. AND SO, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO BE. IT'LL BE IN THE HANDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. SO, WE'LL JUST HAVE TO SEE."
IHC will close its HMO plan at the end of the year. UnitedHealthCare will close its Medicaid HMO even sooner, by September.
July 11, 2002
