DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A report that makes recommendations on how Iowa should handle its Medicaid program under private care also highlights confusion over how recipients will be able to voice complaints.
Deanna Clingan-Fischer is state long-term care ombudsman, a position designed to help respond to complaints from people who receive long-term care in Iowa. Clingan-Fischer spoke to lawmakers Wednesday about a report released in December that recommends an independent system for overseeing such complaints from Medicaid recipients.
Iowa is scheduled to turn over its $4.2 billion Medicaid program to three private companies on March 1st. The report makes recommendations like adding representatives who assist Medicaid recipients with challenges to claims or service.
Lawmakers in the Senate Human Resources Committee expressed concern that such an independent system won't be in place by March 1.
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