UnityPoint Health, Amerigroup agree to talks extension

With hours to spare before the end of the year, officials from UnityPoint Health and Amerigroup Iowa on Sunday agreed to an extension of the contract deadline as the parties continue to negotiate a new contract for 2018.

UnityPoint officials announced Sunday afternoon the original Dec. 31, 2017, contract termination date to remain a part of the Medicaid insurer's provider network was extended while discussions continue.

A final decision is expected to be reached by Jan. 12, according to a media release from UnityPoint.

'UnityPoint Health understands the frustration not having a decision by the year-end deadline may cause our patients, but believes we will have a decision in early 2018,” Sabra Rosener, UnityPoint Health vice president for government and external affairs, said in the release Sunday.

Negotiations between UnityPoint and Amerigroup, one of two remaining managed-care organizations for Iowa's Medicaid system, went into the weekend after officials failed to reach an agreement on Friday.

If no deal is reached, approximately 54,000 Amerigroup enrollees no longer will be able to receive services from UnityPoint health care providers and clinics beginning April 1.

An exception would be made for emergency care, as required by law.

UnityPoint, the state's largest medical network, had notified these patients in November the contract with the managed-care organization could end on Dec. 31.

According to the release, both parties 'have negotiated in earnest” and said individuals covered by an Amerigroup plan 'do not need to make any changes to their doctors or health plan to continue their care with UnityPoint Health at this time.”

The release stated formal notice will be sent to Amerigroup members once a decision is reached.

'We are committed to providing members with access to a comprehensive network of health care providers, and we're pleased that our members can continue to receive care from UnityPoint Health without disruption while we keep working to finalize a new contract,” Cynthia MacDonald, Amerigroup Iowa president, said in Sunday's release.

UnityPoint Health spokesperson Teresa Thoensen confirmed in an email with The Gazette Friday that the provider is contracted with UnitedHealthcare, the state's other Medicaid insurer, for next year.

'A resolution to our Medicaid managed care agreement with Amerigroup would allow our patients to continue to receive care from their trusted UnityPoint Health providers and facilities,” Rosener said. 'UnityPoint Health remains committed to serving Medicaid members and improving the experience, quality and cost of care for Iowans and hopes we will be able to continue to do so in partnership with Amerigroup.”

Department of Human Service spokesman Matt Highland said if a Medicaid member's provider is no longer in their managed-care organization network, they may pursue an insurer change 'for ‘good cause.'”

'First, the member must contact their current (managed-care organization) to go through the (managed-care organization's) grievance process for resolution,” Highland said in an email to The Gazette Friday.

For more information, Amerigroup members can go to unitypoint.org/IowaMedicaid or contact Iowa Medicaid Member Services toll-free 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (800) 338-8366 or (515) 256-4606; or go to dhs.iowa.gov/iahealthlink.

l Comments: (319) 368-8536; michaela.ramm@thegazette.com