The Executive Council is delaying voting on contracts to manage the more than $900 million dollar state Medicaid program.
Right now, Wellsense and Centine manage the state's Medicaid program. This contract, which would pay the companies millions, would continue that though 2024, but also add a third provider, AmeriHealth Caritas.
Members of New Hampshire's Executive Council say they want more information before voting, particularly about AmeriHealth Caritas, which had been penalized by regulators in Iowa over its work on that state's Medicaid program.
New Hampshire Health Commissioner Jeff Myers says he understands the council wants more time but says a delay could mean the program misses its July 1 deadline.
"We may require some additional time to really turn on the new program, including all of the system changes, which need to be done and can’t be done until they approve the contract as well as an open enrollment period."
A public meeting on the contracts has been set for March 11th. The council could vote two days later, but is expected to wait until the end of the month.
