The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), with support from the Iowa Medical Society and the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association, developed and Implemented the Managed Health Care program in Iowa as mandated by the Iowa Legislature via House File 2447 in 1988 and Senate File 541 in 1989. 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
The Managed Care program includes managed health care options: health maintenance organizations (HMOs), prepaid health plans (PHPs), patient management, known as Medicaid Patient Access to Service System (MediPASS), the managed care plan for the delivery of mental health and substance abuse services (Iowa Plan for Behavioral Health), programs of all-inclusive care for the elderly (PACE) and the new Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.