On June 4, 2014, IPHI and Washington AIDS Partnership convened Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and HIV service providers serving the District of Columbia. Key objectives of the session were:
- to give HIV organizations an opportunity to learn what it takes to contract with an MCO and corresponding expectations;
- for MCOs to learn more about the system of HIV providers in DC and the opportunities they see; and
- to provide an opportunity for HIV organizations and MCOs to build direct relationships and explore different ways of working together.
The meeting was a productive first step, and participants unanimously agreed that a follow-up meeting should be planned to continue networking and exploring partnership opportunities. The second session will be scheduled for September 2014. Participating MCOs included AmeriHealth DC, MedStar Family Choice, and Trusted Health Plan, joined by over a dozen HIV service providers. The meeting was part of the Capacity for Change series of forums and trainings, designed to help HIV service providers navigate changes in the health care system and position themselves for more effective and sustainable services. Capacity for Change is coordinated by IPHI, in collaboration with Washington AIDS Partnership and with support from the DC Department of Health and MAC AIDS Fund. For more information about the Capacity for Change series or the second meeting for MCOs and HIV service providers to take place in September, contact Christine Stewart, cstewart@institutephi.org.