Managed Health Services Blog

When MHS employees learned about The Civic Projects 50-day, 50-state civic project is in support of a non-profit that provides long-term supportive housing shelter for pregnant teens and teen mothers, Project Home Indy they knew it was a non-profit they wanted to support. Employees determined the goal would be to provide 15 items to Project Home Indy in honor of MHS’ 15th anniversary year serving the Hoosier Healthwise population. On January 28, MHS employees gave seven crib mattresses, seven baby care packages, and one check to The Civic Projects participant Kirsten L’Orange to deliver to Project Home Indy.

MHS was the second of seven stops in the day-long pick-up and delivery of much needed items for the non-profit. Kirsten began her day accepting donations from RJE Business Interiors, a full-service furniture and design company located in downtown Indianapolis. RJE Business Interiors donated office furniture, desks, chairs, bookcases and a dining room table. Other donations for Project Home Indy included new baby cribs from Plews Shadley Racher and Braun, and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and a $2,500 gift card from The Home Depot.

“MHS admires the dedication and efforts of Tim Malcolm and Kirsten L’Orange of The Civics Projects and is grateful for the opportunity to support their initiative and assist Project Home Indy,” said MHS President and CEO Patrick Rooney. “Project Home Indy is an incredible venture to provide critically needed programs and services to pregnant teenagers and teenagers with babies and we at MHS are excited to support its cause.”

More About Project Home Indy…
Project Home Indy is an Indianapolis-based, non-profit organization that provides a nurturing residential environment that assists homeless teenage girls who are pregnant or parenting in building self-sufficiency. The organization creates opportunities to expand life skills, access healthcare and realize greater educational success. This summer, the organization began renovation on a historic home located on the campus of Trinity Episcopal Church, located at 32 E. 32nd St., to begin providing living arrangements for families later this year.

To learn more about the travels of Malcolm and L’Orange during their 50-day, 50-state journey for The Civics Projects, visit www.thecivicprojects.org.

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Project Home Indy Employee Donation, Thursday, January 28, 2010

View more images on our event images page!

This entry is filed under Blog, Members.

Beginning January 2010, members identified as high utilizers in need of specialized intervention will be enrolled into the Right Choices Program (RCP), formerly the Restricted Card Program. As RCP participants, members will be assigned to one (1) primary medical provider (PMP), one (1) pharmacy and one (1) hospital. Based on thresholds established by the State, some members will be reviewed by a clinical team at MHS and possibly placed in the RCP. The PMP will serve as the member’s primary lock-in physician and will be able to manage his or her care and coordinate service delivery. More detailed information about the RCP will be coming from your county’s designated Provider Relations Specialist.

MHS Letter to PMPs (PDF)
IHCP Provider Monthly News – RCP Article (PDF)
MHS RCP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Providers

You can also find information about the RCP in our most recent Provider Newsletters:
Provider Watch January 2010
The Communicator Winter 2010

This entry is filed under News, Providers.

In 2009 Managed Health Services’ (MHS) annual member satisfaction survey CAHPS, reflected lower ratings than anticipated for member perceptions of how well doctors communicate. Other informal surveys conducted by MHS in 2009 also identified member concerns about the effectiveness of communication during office visits. Members expressed a desire to build stronger relationships with their doctors and have better dialogue about their healthcare.

We know that in a busy office some visits may appear to be rushed or hurried to a patient. Sometimes patients may appear to understand your advice but not actually comprehend it. Here are a few proven tips that we’d like to share with you. They are taken from the article, “Improving Patient Communication in No Time”, published in Family Practice Management.

• Don’t omit the pleasantries. Smile, say hello, and sit down.
• Don’t appear rushed, even if you are. Don’t look at your watch and keep both hands off the door knob.
• Keep conversations on track. Gently guide the member back to the health matter at hand.
• Communicate with a dual purpose. When asking a patient about his or her children, also ask if they are current on their immunizations.
• Listen without interrupting. Studies show a doctor interrupts every 18 seconds. Allowing the patient to speak for three to four minutes without interruption will yield 90 percent of the reason for the visit.
• Relate with your eyes. Don’t stare at a chart or computer screen. Engage with the member.
• Manage patient expectations. Explain to patients what is realistic and discuss any expectations you have of them.
• Educate your patients at a level they can understand. One way to provide more information to your patients without a larger time commitment is to integrate patient education materials into the office visit and have a staff member go over it with them. Ensure patients have a clear understanding of any next steps before they leave the office. Ask them to recite any directions back to you to be sure the member comprehends.
• Make an extra effort to build trust. If you tell the patient you are going to call with lab results, make certain that you do just that. Doing this the first time will show your patients they can count on you.
• Empower your patients. Use a participatory model of care (i.e., the doctor serves as educator, shares in decision making and encourages patients to participate in their care).

Source: “Improving Patient Communication in No Time.” Family Practice Management, 1999, May;6(5):23–8.

This entry is filed under Blog, Members.

Updated 12/22/09

Effective December 31, 2009 the Office of Medicaid Policy and Planning will assume responsibility for the administration of the Hoosier Healthwise managed care organizations and Healthy Indiana Plan pharmacy benefits. Hewlett Packard (HP – formerly EDS) will process all outpatient pharmacy claims and manage pharmaceutical services for drugs and some drug-related medical supplies and medical devices provided by enrolled Indiana Health Coverage Programs pharmacy or durable medical equipment providers.

IHCP Provider Bulletin BT200948
MHS Pharmacy Benefit Changes Fax Blast (PDF)

Provider Manual and Quick Reference Guide
New versions of the MHS Provider Manual and Quick Reference Guide (QRG) effective 12/31/09, have been uploaded.
MHS Provider Manual
Chapter 8: Pharmacy has been replaced with Chapter 9 from the IHCP Provider Manual.
MHS Provider Quick Reference Guide

Pharmacy Preferred Drug List and Forms
Pharmacy manuals and forms are now located at the Indiana Medicaid and Indiana Pharmacy Benefits management Web sites.
Indiana Medicaid Preferred Drug List
Indiana Medicaid Pharmacy Forms

This entry is filed under News, Providers.

The State of Indiana has issued notice of an impending emergency rule change and released a corresponding provider bulletin BT200943 regarding payment of inpatient and outpatient hospital rates. The bulletin can be found on the Indiana Medicaid Web site, www.indianamedicaid.com.

In response, MHS has prepared and released a clarifying letter to Indiana hospitals:

Letter to Indiana Hospitals (PDF)

Any questions should be directed to your MHS Provider Relations Specialist at (877) 647-4848.

This entry is filed under News.