DHS: 120,000 sign up for Medicaid expansion

Nearly 120,000 Iowans have signed up for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, the state's answer to the federal Medicaid expansion, the Department of Human Services announced Wednesday.

'Iowa is well on track to meet its estimate of 150,000 Iowans enrolled in the program after three years,” DHS Director Charles Palmer said in a news release.

The health insurance plan is made up of two components -- the Wellness Plan, which covers Medicaid eligible adults, and the Marketplace Choice Plan, which covers adults with income from 101 percent through 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

As of Monday, DHS figures show enrollment in the Wellness Plan sat at 89,565, while enrollment in the Marketplace Choice Plan was 29,683 - totaling 119,248.

Those enrolled in the Health and Wellness plan are accessing preventive care at a higher rate than the former IowaCare program, DHS said, adding that this will help drive down costs and lead to program savings, which benefits taxpayers.

'Tens of thousands of members are completing wellness exams and risk assessments, which can help their primary-care provider identify and treat issues before they become more serious and more costly,” Palmer said.

DHS figures show that nearly 27,000 wellness exams have been completed and more than 21,600 health risk assessments have been completed.

Additionally, about 30,000 Iowans had received services through the Dental Wellness Plan as of Dec. 12, according to DHS. Delta Dental, Iowa's largest dental insurer, provides oral health services for those enrolled in the Health and Wellness Program.

Those insured in the program have access to core services, including exams and cleaning as well as emergency services. But the plan incentivizes more complex work, such as restorative services, root canal care, and gum treatment.

Those on the plan can earn these services by completing a recall exam within six to 12 months of their initial exam.

'We continue moving forward with innovative plans that address the whole individual and encourage Iowans to improve their overall health,” Palmer said.