Letter: Medicaid managed care is not working

Recently, I saw the governor say that Medicaid managed care is working well. That is far from the truth.

I'm a recipient of CDAC services, which is Consumer Directed Attendant Care. Ever since this program has been in place, the independent providers who provide services and the agencies who provide services are not being paid in a timely manner. The MCO system is not helping providers or consumers of the services. My CDAC providers are not being paid on time.

I reached out to the governor's office and to AmeriHealth Caritas, who is my managed cared company, but the problems are not being resolved. My CDAC workers have not been paid for February. They have contacted AmeriHealth and they keep telling them that their checks will be sent 'soon.”

I am unable to make it to medical appointments because I don't have staff available to help me. I know of others who have lost their special bus services because they weren't ready when the bus came to pick them up because they didn't have staff to help them.

Consumer Directed Attendant Care helps people stay in our homes so we don't need to live in nursing homes. Many people who are elderly or who live with disabilities are being negatively affected by managed care. Many people who are at risk don't have the skills to advocate for themselves.

Contact your legislators and the governor to let them know Medicaid Managed Care is not working.

Casey Hayse

Iowa City