The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) recently awarded contracts to CountyCare Health Plan and five other Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to provide covered services to HealthChoice Illinois enrollees. The contract includes an initial term of four-and-a-half years with an optional renewal term of five-and-a-half years.
CountyCare is owned and operated by Cook County Health and is the only provider-led Medicaid plan in Illinois. With nearly 380,000 members, it is the largest Medicaid managed care plan in the county and the highest-rated Illinois Medicaid plan for member satisfaction and quality care, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
“This award affirms what we have long known: a locally grounded, provider-led health plan delivers better outcomes,” said Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. “Since its inception, CountyCare has connected more than 1 million residents to quality coverage. As we face ongoing uncertainty at the federal level, this partnership ensures we can continue to protect and strengthen our health care safety net and meet residents with dignity, equity and excellence.”
“The new HealthChoice Illinois Medicaid Managed Care contracts mark a major milestone for the state’s Medicaid program, representing one of the most significant ways the State of Illinois can continue to improve our customers’ experience interacting with their health care system and improve health outcomes for Medicaid customers,” said Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director of HFS. “These contracts incentivize and hold MCOs accountable for better integrating physical and behavioral health care, improving access to quality care, implementing value-driven pay models connected to health outcomes and addressing disparities while fostering partnership with health plans and other stakeholders. We received feedback from many stakeholders through this process and are proud to have integrated it into these updated contracts.”
“We are honored to continue our partnership with HFS in providing quality, comprehensive coverage to Medicaid enrollees in Cook County,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, Chief Executive Officer for Cook County Health. “This award reaffirms our decade-long commitment to improving the health and well-being of the members we serve. As we look to the future, we remain focused on improving health outcomes, ensuring stability and supporting the health of those who need it most, especially as we navigate looming federal changes to Medicaid coverage. At CountyCare, our members come first, and we are dedicated to their continued care.”
CountyCare has the highest retention rate of all Illinois Medicaid plans with more than 85 percent of members renewing their coverage year after year. It is preparing to support enrollees through upcoming federal cuts to Medicaid eligibility with a multifaceted communications campaign, Get Medicaid Facts, and hundreds of redetermination events held throughout Cook County every year to help members navigate the Medicaid enrollment and renewal process.
“CountyCare has made tremendous strides over the past 13 years, and this new contract is a testament to our dedication to providing the highest-quality services to our members,” said Aaron Galeener, Chief Administrative Officer for CountyCare. “As the only provider-led Medicaid health plan in the state, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a level of care that is not only comprehensive but also deeply person-centered. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our industry-leading quality rating and a robust network that ensures our members have access to the care they need when they need it. We’re looking forward to many more years of caring for our members in Cook County.”
For more information on CountyCare’s benefits and resources, visit countycare.com.