Louisiana is moving forward on its new Web-based Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) now that it has federal approval on the $185 million, 10-year contract with CNSI, a Gaithersburg, Md., health IT services provider, to develop and deploy the system by the end of 2014.
The new claims processing system will use a modern and flexible online platform that promotes integrated healthcare delivery for the state's Medicaid providers and recipients and better prepares Louisiana for the anticipated changes coming with health reform, according to state and company officials.
[See also: An inside look at Maine's MMIS implementation.]
The vendor's system is designed to make faster provider payments and improve fraud detection. Among the early components, the system will offer provider re-enrollment and outreach and a secure online Medicaid portal to help foster communication with the providers throughout the enrollment process. Some business processes between the state agency and providers will be available via mobile devices.
The new MMIS aims to make "navigating Medicaid easier for recipients and providers," said Jerry Phillips, undersecretary of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, in a March 1 announcement.
The Medicaid portal will be a public website designed to provide information to the state, health care providers and enrollees. The portal will offer bulletins, frequently asked questions, state contact information, Medicaid program and policy information, training schedules and material and upcoming events.
In addition, Medicaid enrollees will have access to view their healthcare services information through a secure online portal and a call center.
[Political Malpractice: Arizona: Where healthcare and immigration intersect.]
"We see providers as a key stakeholder in the Medicaid system and will want to both educate them on our new payment platform and gather input on how to make our services the best they can be for all stakeholders," said Adnan Ahmed, CNSI president.
The vendor has implemented similar technology in Michigan and Washington. CNSI will also maintain MMIS system operations once it is deployed and assume fiscal agent responsibilities.
Elsewhere, HP Enterprise Services will continue to manage North Carolina's MMIS with business process services and provide Medicaid and mental health fiscal agent services for up to two years in a recent $122 million agreement.
Most recently, HP upgraded the North Carolina MMIS to HIPAA 5010 standard electronic transaction codes and established the National Correct Coding Initiative and National Provider Identifier, an administrative simplification standard of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
For more of our primaries coverage, visit Political Malpractice: Healthcare in the 2012 Election.