May 1, 2017

LIVE UNITED: Advocate Award Presented to EveryStep

At today's LIVE UNITED celebration, United Way of Central Iowa honored EveryStep with an Advocate award for our work with the Medicaid Modernization Strategic Planning Group.  The award recognized our efforts in helping to lead a collaboration advocating for the healthcare and human service needs of Iowans affected by the transition to the Iowa Medicaid Managed Care program. 

EveryStep is a major connector to care and services for many Medicaid clients. We knew that many of the people we serve would be impacted by the changes to Medicaid last year. Recognizing our unique position to speak on behalf of the people we serve and collaborate well with community partners, the organization received grants from the Mid Iowa Health Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, and United Way of Central Iowa, to form the Medicaid Modernization Strategic Planning Group. The Medicaid Modernization Strategic Planning Group meets every other week to discuss challenges and collaborate on solutions.

The best outcome of the group was to bring together a cross sector of providers from the community to discuss the successes and challenges of the transition to managed care in Iowa. The provider group, the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) were able to have open dialogue and problem solve the issues that arose as a result of the transition. 

Our organization is driven to ensure all Iowans have access to healthcare and support services to live their best lives. Our advocacy work identified barriers to health services, prevention and treatment.  We found effective ways to collaborate, communicate and help others navigate the transition to the Iowa Medicaid Managed Care program, thus improving access to vital services for children, families and our communities. The relationships formed between Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, the MCOs, providers and others as a result of this group was invaluable; all of these entities are working together to improve the lives of Medicaid members in Iowa.

The Medicaid Modernization Strategic Planning Group includes members from the following entities:  Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, Iowa Department of Human Services, Iowa Department of Public Health, Children and Families of Iowa, Unity Point Health, Mid-Iowa Community Action Agency, Orchard Place, Iowa Pharmacy Association, Polk County Health Department, Disability Rights Iowa, Aging Advocates, Mid Iowa Health Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, Primary Health Care, United Way of Central Iowa, Child Serve, Project IOWA, Safe Net Rx, Embarc, State of Iowa Office of Ombudsman, Iowa Primary Care Association, US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Warren County Health Services, Broadlawns Medical Center, Mid Iowa Health Foundation, YESS, CareMore Medical Enterprise, Polk County Health Services, Amerigroup, AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, United Health Care, and Managed Care Ombudsman Office.