Community Partners surveyed frontline workers in the Health Access Network to collect their ideas
on how the new C-CHIP health plans (now referred to as Commonwealth Care) should work to make health care reform successful. Sixty-five frontline workers from hospitals, health centers and community groups responded to the survey. These respondents represent 34 organizations from 19 cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Survey results were presented as testimony at the Connector Board hearing on August 9th. Key recommendations include:
Accessibility
- All regions of the state should have a Commonwealth Care plan available, which is not the case now with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations
- Provider participation should be adequate within each region, allowing for access to services taking into account distance and transportation needs
Services
- The range should include dental, mental health, home care, rehabilitation and pharmacy services
- Ease of use can be promoted by making services culturally and linguistically appropriate
Affordability
- Should take into account regional differences in cost of living within the state
- Consider the situation of seasonal workers and others with inconsistent income
- Look to maintain affordability as health care costs rise
Outreach, Education, Enrollment and Customer Support
- Efforts should be made to involve community outreach and enrollment workers and to educate them about these new plans
- The health plans and the state should take a lesson from Medicare Part D and increase customer service staff before enrollment begins
- Flexibility in documentation will support greater enrollment
Click here to view the full report. (PDF, 172 KB)
If you have observations to share with your peers in the statewide network, register or log in now.
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