Medipass

The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), with support from the Iowa Medical Society and the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, has developed a Managed Health Care (MHC) program. This program provides certain Medicaid members (families and children) residing in Iowa with a specified primary care provider/Patient Manager.

Implementation of this Managed Health Care program in Iowa Medicaid was mandated by the Iowa Legislature via House File 2447 in 1988 and Senate File 541 in 1989. Effective June 30, 2005, the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) assumed responsibility to administer the program.

The goals of Managed Health Care are to:

  • Enhance quality and continuity of care
  • Ensure appropriate utilization of health care services
  • Ensure appropriate access to care
  • Contain Medicaid costs

Patient management has been shown to enhance the continuity of care that comes from a strengthened provider-patient relationship. Research has also shown that a strong provider-patient relationship will encourage early diagnosis and intervention, promote good health outcomes, and support efforts to meet these goals.

Important Documents

  1. Medipass Procedure Guide
  2. Agreement for Participation as a Patient Manager in the Iowa Medicaid Patient Access to Service System (MediPASS) Form 470-2615
  3. Provider Request for Member Disenrollment Form 470-2169
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