In March 2011, an RFP was released to find an organization to develop a visionary plan for New Mexico’s Medicaid Program. Just recently, the New Mexico Human Services Department signed a contract with Alicia Smith & Associates to advise the state as to how to redesign and modernize the Medicaid program serving more than a quarter of New Mexico’s population.
The current Medicaid programs currently serve more than 550,000 New Mexicans in which the majority of the 335,000 served are children. The FY 2012 budget is $3.75 billion including state and federal funds. By 2014, it is estimated that an additional 130,000 to 175,000 will qualify for the program with the implementation of the federal healthcare reform act.
The transformation of the Medicaid program will meet the state’s goals by:
• Combining all of the services for low-income, aged populations, blind, and disabled population into a single comprehensive approach to managing care
• Requiring health plans to work together to develop multiple health home models
• Changing and updating Medical reimbursement methodologies
• Encouraging Medicaid members to take a more active role in managing their healthcare and how to use the resources wisely
• Helping the Tribal communities and organizations come together under a common framework to advance best practices in tribal medicine
Public and legislative input is requested for new ideas on how to redesign Medicaid. Input sessions are now being scheduled for several cities across the state and will be announced soon.
For more information, go to www.hsd.state.nm.us.
