Medicaid research report issued in Charleston
State releases performance review on new Medicaid program
The West Virginia University College of Business and Economics, has released the Mountain Health Choices Beneficiary Report, a performance review of the Mountain Health Choices program. Mountain Health Choices is a federally approved program within the Bureau for Medical Services at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
Mountain Health Choices replaced the traditional Medicaid program for healthy adults and children beginning in March 2007. Under the new program, members choose to enroll in one of two plans, the basic or the enhanced plan. To enroll in the enhanced plan, members must sign a responsibility agreement and develop a health improvement plan with their doctor.
To understand how Medicaid users decide which plan to enroll in and how well they comprehend their choices, BMS commissioned a study by economists and marketing researchers at WVU’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. The researchers surveyed 1,073 Medicaid members. The goal of the study was to provide a comprehensive snapshot of the program so that the state could identify areas of focus for improvement and future research. The study uses survey data from a stratified random sample of Medicaid members as well as administrative data on eligibility, medical claims and prescription drugs. The research also identifies members’ attitudes toward redesign and their knowledge of the two available plans.
Key findings indicate that Mountain Health Choices members are generally satisfied with their health coverage although there is some confusion about the new program and the enrollment process. Adults with poor health are more likely to select the enhanced plan for themselves. Children whose parents report transportation problems or that they dislike the member agreements are more likely to be enrolled in the basic plan regardless of their health status. Most members plan to continue to use Medicaid benefits for three or more years
For more information contact Tami Gurley-Calvez, Ph.D. Bureau of Business and Economic Research, College of Business and Economics, West Virginia University at (304) 293-7829.
For more information:
Bureau for Medical Services
Shannon Landrum
(304)558-6006
Shannon.L.Landrum@wv.gov
Bureau of Business and Economic Research, College of Business and Economics, WVU
Tami Gurley-Calvez, Ph.D.
(304) 293-7829
Tami.Calvez@mail.wvu.edu
