Owensboro Health ‘optimistic’ with WellCare negotiations, extends deadline again

June 17, 2019 | 3:20 am

Updated June 16, 2019 | 10:07 pm

Owensboro Health Regional Hospital is still negotiating with WellCare of Kentucky, one of five managed care organizations (MCO) available to Kentucky Medicaid members.

Reports circulated in late 2018 that Owensboro Health would terminate its contract with WellCare April 1. Owensboro Health told Owensboro Times in April that the termination date was extended to June 1. Owensboro Health Director of Marketing Brian Hmaby said that date has now been extended again until August 1.

“We have made significant progress in our discussions with WellCare, and we are optimistic that a resolution that works for both parties is just around the corner,” Hamby said. “While we didn’t finalize a new contract before April 1, negotiations have been consistent and productive, and we felt comfortable extending our current agreement through August 1.”

According to Hamby, an extension was the best way to serve patients who currently rely on WellCare.

“We were willing to do that because negotiations have been going so well,” he said.
Hamby said Owensboro Health officials have been working through the situation confidentially, but it their goal is to continue the positive momentum they have built since January.

“Our finance team meets with WellCare representatives each week and is in continuous communication through calls and emails,” he said.

Currently 38 percent of patients in OHRH’s 12-county service area are WellCare members, Hamby told Owensboro Times in November 2018. While there are five MCOs available to Kentuckians, OHRH is only in network with four of them — Aetna Better Health of Kentucky, Humana CareSource, Passport Health Plan and WellCare of Kentucky, if a negotiation can be reached. OHRH does not accept Anthem Medicaid.

June 17, 2019 | 3:20 am

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