This presentation focused on the challenges with the current system for monitoring access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries and considerations for designing and implementing a new system. Under the current approach, there are different requirements for ensuring access across delivery systems, and the responsibilities and expectations of states and plans in monitoring access are not clearly established.
The Commission also heard from experts who discussed the roles and responsibilities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and states in designing and implementing an improved system with consistent requirements, comparable measures, and actionable information across delivery systems and states. Strategies for engaging beneficiaries, plans, and other stakeholder were also discussed. Panelists included:
- Karen LLanos, director of the Medicaid Innovation Accelerator Program at the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services, CMS;
- Elizabeth Lukanen, deputy director at the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota;
- Abigail Coursolle, senior attorney with the National Health Law Program; and
- Jennifer McGuigan Babcock, senior vice president for Medicaid policy at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans