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THE LATEST FROM PASSPORT HEALTH PLANKentucky’s Passport Health Plan is a National Leader in the Care of Children with AsthmaOctober 12, 2011 Read full Press Release. Press Release: National Committee for Quality Assurance Ranks Passport Health Plan #13 of all Medicaid Health Plans in the United StatesSeptember 26, 2011 Read full Press Release. Supporting Documents: Comments from Mark B. Carter on the July 7, 2011 Press ConferenceJuly 7, 2011 Read full Press Release. Press Release: Passport Health Plan announces State ContractJuly 7, 2011 New contract effective July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. Read full Press Release. Press Release: Passport Health Plan announces Chief Executive OfficerJuly 7, 2011 Mark B. Carter hired effective July 1, 2011. Read full Press Release. Press Release: Passport Health Plan appoints Interim Chief Compliance OfficeJanuary 24, 2010 Loree Ching hired as Interim Chief Compliance Officer. Read full Press Release. Reader Letter: Passport's plusesDecember 31, 2010 Source: The Courier-Journal Recently, I have been reading with interest the articles on Passport Health Plan, an HMO section of the Kentucky Medicaid system that provides health care to residents of Jefferson County as well as 15 other counties in Kentucky. I'd like to talk about Passport from the point of view of a provider of services. Since our practice began in July 2004, my partners, associates and I have been in network with Passport Health Plan. We provide medical and dental surgical services to Passport members of all ages. We feel fortunate to be able to give back to the community by helping take care of a population that is often underserved. My staff tells me that working with Passport in the areas of confirmation of coverage, preauthorization of surgeries, billing for these services and receiving payment for these services is truly a model of efficiency. In fact, they wish that some commercial insurance companies would take a lesson from the methods Passport has incorporated into their daily administration. While I understand that Passport has some problems, I hope that those who are in charge of auditing the program will consider the good work that Passport does every day on behalf of so many Kentucky residents. Christopher P. Babcock, D.M.D., M.D. Reader Letter: Passport workersDecember 31, 2010 Source: The Courier-Journal While the news has been filled with mistakes made at the higher administrative echelons of Passport, I fear that the good work of the street-level Passport Health Plan employees might be overlooked. Passport Health Plan has changed lives. Very few organizations partner with community groups the way Passport does. The success of its work is evident in a number of ways. First and foremost, members of the plan have been consistently treated with quality and compassionate care, which has not gone unnoticed by human service providers, advocates and current and potential members. I, for one, commend these workers who have no connection with or control over higher officers. Rev. Ron Loughry Active outreachDecember 16, 2010 Excerpt from Reader Letters | Different businesses article posted on The Courier-Journal website December 15, 2010. "With all the controversy surrounding the Passport Health Plan, I thought I would write from another perspective. While I have no knowledge of the issues mentioned in the audit, what I can speak to is my participation on the PAD Advisory Council. This council is a community-based group of individuals who work with Passport on issues related to its Medicare Advantage program, geared to older adults and individuals with dual diagnoses. They make a real effort to include a wide range of groups and advisers in this, and take feedback about service quite seriously. I have been impressed with their success in working with specific populations, such as those with COPD (lung and breathing issues) and conditions related to heart disease and diabetes. They do active outreach to such individuals, and work creatively to help them effectively manage their illnesses. They have a strong ability to provide translation services and are active in many community outreach events. I would hope that we all take these actions into account." Harriette Friedlander Passport worksDecember 15, 2010 Excerpt from Reader Letters | Investing in children article posted on The Courier-Journal website December 13, 2010. "There have been a number of stories and letters in your newspaper recently about Passport Health Plan, a Medicaid-managed care plan for 16 counties in Kentucky. As a public health professional, I'm always interested in articles like this because I see the sick and uninsured on a daily basis. I'm equally interested as a consumer; I want to be assured that Medicaid funding is being used appropriately. While admittedly a few people (who have recently been terminated) did have their own agenda, the “fact” still remains that Passport has been and is a model program for the thousands of consumers in this region. I've worked in public health for 30 years, so I've witnessed the other attempts to manage Medicaid and maintain quality health care. Passport Health Plan is the only one that has “really” worked. Passport Health Plan members get care from a vast pool of credentialed physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals, and they have access to a multitude of benefits and special programs. Passport Health Plan associates participate in events throughout their 16-county service area, and treat members with dignity and respect. I would hope that this program gets the support from everyone, including The Courier-Journal, to continue to serve this area." Saundra Mucker, MSSW, CSW Press Release from Passport Health PlanDecember 8, 2010
Passport Health Plan Management ChangesDecember 7, 2010 Employment lease agreements cancelled effective 12/7/10 The Board of Directors of University Health Care, Inc. dba Passport Health Plan have announced the cancellation of employment agreements effective December 7, 2010 for Shannon R. Turner, Executive Vice President, and Nici C. Gaines, Associate Vice President, from the University of Louisville and University Physicians Associates respectively. This announcement follows previous actions taken last week including the appointment of a new Interim CEO effective December 1, 2010 and the cancellation of all outside lobbyist contracts effective January 1, 2011. "We are committed to addressing each and every action item outlined in the Governor's Corrective Action Plan. We are making changes as needed and will continue to take deliberative steps in order to restore the public's confidence. We remain focused on what we do best, delivering high quality care to our most vulnerable citizens." Mark B. Carter Response to Governor Beshear's Corrective Action PlanDecember 1, 2010 Members of the Passport Health Plan Board of Directors met with Governor Beshear this morning. It was a frank and cordial meeting and the Board is reviewing the Governor's list of corrective action items. We'll be making changes as needed and look forward to a continuing dialogue with the state to work through some of the more complex issues. Also today, Mark B. Carter was appointed Interim CEO. This appointment was made in consultation with the Governor. Obviously, addressing the items placed forth by the Governor will be a priority for Mr. Carter in the weeks ahead. We continue to focus on what we do best, delivering high quality care to our most vulnerable citizens. Larry N. Cook, MD Press Release: Passport Health Plan announces interim Chief Executive Officer - Mark B. Carter takes reins of the HMO effective December 1, 2010 Announcement regarding Passport Health Plan Contract LobbyistsNovember 30, 2010 All contracts with lobbyists have been cancelled effective January 1, 2011. As stated in our response to the State Auditor, UHC discloses its lobbying expenditures to the IRS annually and these expenditures are in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code limits for a 501(c) (3) organization of its size. Additionally, the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission requires lobbying activity and expense reports to be filed for all lobbyists and employers of lobbyists. These reports are a matter of public record and can be found online at the Kentucky Legislative Ethics Commission website. Larry N. Cook, MD Media Statement from Passport Health Plan BoardNovember 18, 2010
Media Statement Regarding the APA ReportNovember 12, 2010 The full University Health Care, Inc. Board of Directors which includes representatives from Norton Healthcare, Jewish Hospital and St. Mary's Health Care, University Medical Center, the Louisville-Jefferson County Primary Care Association, which includes the Louisville Metro Department of Health and Wellness, Family Health Centers, and Park DuValle, and the University of Louisville Medical School Practice Association, will meet next Thursday to address the issues raised in the Auditor's report and determine next steps. I hope there is agreement that what University Health Care has done well is creating a nationally recognized managed care organization that renders medical home based, wellness oriented, high quality care to 165,000 people who depend on us for their health care every day. What we haven't done a good enough job on is managing the day-to-day oversight of the program. We intend to deal with that serious problem. To that end, we have already taken actions and are planning additional actions that are responsive to the Auditor's findings.
Media Statement Regarding the APA ReportNovember 9, 2010 University Health Care, Inc. appreciates the time and attention the Auditor has devoted to reviewing our organization. The Board has reviewed the report and is taking actions, as appropriate, that are consistent with recommendations made by the Auditor. We will continue to evaluate and implement new processes as needed to ensure the continuing success of this nationally recognized model of health care delivery. Our complete response to the Auditor's Office is a public record document and is available to the news media and the general public.
Letter to the AuditorNovember 2, 2010 Dr. Cook's Letter to the Auditor NCQA Health Insurance Plan RankingOctober 21, 2010 Passport Health Plan is recognized nationally:
*NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2010-11 - Medicaid WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING"...because our offices are in the same building, I am a frequent witness to their staff, including the executive team. What I see and hear are a group of caring professionals who routinely go above and beyond for their members." ~ Jan Day "Passport Health Plan provides quality health care to people who qualify, including many of the refugees who are resettled here by Catholic Charities. To help our clients assimilate, they provide benefit orientations several times a year, in as many languages as necessary. This is an invaluable service to our new citizens and to the entire community." ~ Darko Mihaylovich "...our practice sees over 1,000 Passport Health Plan members, many of whom are special needs kids - children who have chronic and sometimes debilitating illnesses. Passport Health Plan does a great job of educating their members, which in turns helps us do our jobs. This is a health plan that understands and values the needs of both doctors and patients." ~ Kaplan Barron Pediatric Group "Shawna has suffered from several physical and mental disabilities that are challenging, but manageable because of Passport Health Plan making good care possible…Shawna is alive today because she was one of the lucky children who had Passport Health Plan and still does." ~ Anna W., Hardin County "I've worked in public health for 30 years, so I've witnessed the other attempts "firsthand" to manage Medicaid spending and maintain quality care…Passport Health Plan is the only one that has worked. This is an approach to Medicaid that should be applauded and replicated!" ~ Saundra J. Mucker, MSSW, CSW
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