Medicaid Managed Care - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

<strong>Medicaid</strong> is changing
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Medical Assistance will change, starting in June of 1997.
The new program is called HealthChoice. Sometime between
June and November 1997, you will get a notice in the mail.
Then, you will need to sign up for an MCO and pick a doctor
for your health care.
MCO stands for <strong>Managed</strong> <strong>Care</strong> Organization. You will
not lose any medical assistance benefits when you join
your MCO. In fact, your MCO will make sure your health
care needs are met.
In a HealthChoice MCO, you and your doctor are partners
in your care. Most of the time, your doctor will give you
health care. If you need services from a specialist, your
doctor will work with you to get them.
Health care services for people with special needs
MCOs give extra help to people who:
* have a physical disability
* have HIV/AIDS
* have a developmental disability
* have special mental health needs
* are pregnant or just had a baby
* are homeless
* need treatment to get off drugs and alcohol
HealthChoice helps children with special
health care needs
MCOs offer extra services to children who:
* have special health care needs
* are in State supervised care, foster care or kinship care
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