The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) selected three companies to operate its Medicaid Managed Care Program.
DHSS’ Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA) will continue its managed care partnership with Highmark Health Options Blue Cross Blue Shield, which began in 2015, and with AmeriHealth Caritas, which began in 2018. In addition, DHS announced plans to contract with Centene’s Delaware First Health.
“We are pleased to reach agreement with Highmark, AmeriHealth, and Centene to provide these vital services to the Medicaid members we serve,” DHSS Secretary Molly Magarik said. “These companies not only will offer more choice to our Medicaid members, but they also understand Delaware’s commitment to value-based care, and to the critical services that our Medicaid members need and deserve. We appreciate the commitment of Highmark, AmeriHealth and Centene to providing a connection to care and support that will help our Medicaid members achieve their optimal health.”
In 2017, Gov. John Carney signed House Joint Resolution 7, which gave DHSS the authority to develop health care spending and quality benchmarks. The spending benchmark – a spending target – is linked to the growth rate of Delaware’s economy and includes all health care spending, including through Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial insurers.
Delaware’s Medicaid program serves about 300,000 members, a little less than a third of the state’s population. The program serves low-income residents and has been expanded in an effort to lower the rate of uninsured residents who do not have health care coverage.
Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance Director Steve Groff said members will receive information during the next several weeks about their options in choosing a new plan for 2023. Open enrollment will begin on Oct. 1.
