Governor announces delay in implementing Step 2 of Medicaid Managed Care

Governor Maggie Hassan announced on April 3, that Step 2 of Medicaid Managed Care is delayed until a plan for stakeholder involvement is in place. Long-Term Care Services, which include the community-based services for individuals with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders and their families provided by LRCS, were scheduled to be rolled into Medicaid Managed Care on Dec. 1, 2014. The Governor’s comments were made during the monthly meeting of the Governor’s Commission on Medicaid Care Management. She explained that the focus is now on Medicaid Expansion, which the governor signed into law on March 27, and refining Step 1. Step 1 of Medicaid Managed Care, which covers medical and acute care, went live on Dec. 1, 2013.

Rather than setting a new start date for Step 2, the governor said the process would dictate implementation. “We want to make sure that we have a system that builds on the strength of our current systems,” said Hassan. “So we are going to build on those strengths and we are going to take the time to get it right.” Governor Hassan said the state will put a real effort into designing Step 2 with families and examining the complexities of long term care. She said that Step 1 of Medicaid Managed Care has been successful, but still needs work.