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Second Delay For State's Medicaid Managed Care Program

NHPR

The Department of Health and Human Services is delaying part of New Hampshire’s Medicaid Managed Care program.

Transferring New Hampshire’s Medicaid program to so called managed care is a huge, sprawling puzzle. The idea is for private insurance companies to take over the state program that provides health insurance for low income residents. And the trickiest part will be transferring the care of the sickest residents – people with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injuries.

The state Department of Health and Human Services now says that last piece will transition in September of 2015.

Deputy Commissioner Marilee Nihan says the delay comes in response to public concern about interruptions of care, and how services will be paid for.

"We have all along said that we will integrate these services when the system is ready for it," says Nihan.

Still in the balance are non-medical services for people with development delays. Now word yet on when those will be handed from the state to managed care.

Before joining NHPR in August 2014, Jack was a freelance writer and radio reporter. His work aired on NPR, BBC, Marketplace and 99% Invisible, and he wrote for the Christian Science Monitor and Northern Woodlands.
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