Colorado healthcare organizations said they continue to experience problems with a Medicaid payment system the state launched in March, according to a Colorado Public Radio report.
The beginnings of the Medicaid Management Information System, titled the Colorado interChange, date back to 2013. At that time, HP Enterprise Services, now DXC Technology, began efforts toward creating and ultimately implementing the new computer billing system per an agreement with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy, according to the state website. DXC Technology now serves as the contractor and fiscal agent for MMIS.
But Colorado healthcare organizations contend things have not gone smoothly. Annie Walter, business services coordinator at Pueblo West-based Hanson Clinic, which offers urgent orthopedic care, told CPR the new system started rejecting claims that would typically gain approval. She added the problem began when the system launched and has continued despite complaints and talks with the state and vendor, according to the report. Ultimately, this means money lost for the clinic.
Chris Underwood, office director of the health information office for the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, cited the complexity of the new system in the report and acknowledged to Colorado Public Radio issues such as coding errors.
Still, he downplayed the issues, telling the publication problems should ultimately improve with the system's full performance.
He also noted, "The number one reason we still have denied claims is because providers are not enrolled correctly or they're not billing from the proper location."
Additionally, he told the publication the state is "working with our vendor on a daily basis to resolve any billing issues they're having." In a statement obtained by Colorado Public Radio, DXC Technology also noted it "is in the process of further expanding its number of call center agents" and is "working collaboratively with the department to proactively inform providers of available training and supporting claims billing policy materials."
But the Colorado Hospital Association argues the problems are bigger than the state lets on, as healthcare organizations are not receiving timely payments, among other issues.
Mr. Underwood estimates that by the the time 2017 ends, the system will return to the "pre-launch level of claims processing and calls to its call center," the report states.
Read the full report here.
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