Health and healthcare Senate lays foundation for children’s mental healthcare system

Health and healthcare Senate lays foundation for children’s mental healthcare system Iowans tell us that access to mental health services is one of their biggest concerns. We’re listening and are working to improve mental health care statewide for all Iowans.
This week, the Senate Hu-man Resources Committee vot-ed to lay the foundation for a Children’s Mental Health Sys-tem that will ensure better ac-cess to basic services for kids. It’s based on years of hard work by those who advocate for children, including the Children’s State System Board.
Currently, there is no clear path for parents and children to access mental health ser-vices. When a child is in dis-tress or struggling at school, their family should be able to get them the help they need.
SF 479 sets up the initial structure for a statewide mental health system focused on kids and requires that certain basic services be offered.
Our children are our future. I want to make sure we do the best we can to ensure their future is bright. I will continue to listen to parents, health care providers and advocates as we develop an effective Children’s Mental Health System.
Open enrollment underway for Medicaid members
Iowa Medicaid members now have the option to switch their Managed Care Organiza-tion (MCO). With a third MCO—Iowa Total Care—scheduled to begin operating in the state on July 1, an open-enrollment period is in effect through June 18. This month, Medicaid recipients should receive letters in the mail with complete details.
A minimum of 25 percent of Medicaid members—150,000 people—will be automatically reassigned to Iowa Total Care. During the open choice period, members can accept their as-signed MCO or change to another MCO. Coverage will be effective July 1. However, members can still opt to change their MCO for any reason until Sept. 30.
About 121,000 members will NOT be part of the auto-matic reassignment process, including pregnant women and those with serious illnesses—though they can opt to change if they wish.
Medicaid members can change their MCO in three ways:
Email Iowa Medicaid Member Services at IMEMemberServ-ices@dhs.state.ia.us.
Call Iowa Medicaid Member Services at 1-800-338-8366. Return an MCO enrollment form to Member Services, P.O. Box 36510, Des Moines, Io-wa 50315.
More information about the open choice period is available on the Department of Human Services website.
Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at 515-281-3371 or 641-424-0874. Email her at aman-da.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.