logo
Maximus to Continue Providing Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Support in West Virginia

Maximus to Continue Providing Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment Support in West Virginia

Business Wire5 days ago
TYSONS, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Maximus, a leading employer and provider of government services, today announced it has been selected by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) to continue serving as the state's enrollment broker for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Since 2015, Maximus has delivered a wide range of enrollment and eligibility services to West Virginia residents. Maximus has partnered to improve the delivery of eligibility and enrollment services for more than 400,000 West Virginia residents.
Share
Since 2015, Maximus has delivered a wide range of enrollment and eligibility services to West Virginia residents. During that time, the company supported the state's efforts to expand the number of programs and populations the enrollment broker project served including the expansion of Medicaid in 2015, the expansion of CHIP in 2017, and the addition of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits in 2017.
Maximus has partnered with the state to improve the delivery of eligibility and enrollment services for more than 400,000 West Virginia residents. The majority of Medicaid enrollment in West Virginia is handled through the customer contact center operated by Maximus, offering residents the choice to engage by phone, web, online chat, and mail. The company conducts caller surveys to monitor customer experience, earning a 98% average customer satisfaction score in 2024. Maximus also provides in-person outreach and education at local community events.
'We've developed a deep understanding of residents' needs over the last decade and are pleased to continue providing West Virginians a high-quality, person-centered customer experience,' said Robin LaFrance, Executive Managing Director of U.S. Services East, Maximus. 'As the leading provider of Medicaid enrollment broker services to states across the nation, we prioritize delivering accurate program information and streamlined enrollment services, ensuring residents are promptly connected with the right benefits.'
In 2018, Maximus partnered with West Virginia to help implement a successful Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) pilot project across two large counties. The company leveraged its enrollment broker infrastructure, developed a full SDOH survey, and added the survey delivery to the Medicaid enrollment process. The surveys, with completion rates of nearly 70 percent, revealed an average of 2.5 unmet SDOH needs per resident. The pilot project's results will be used by the state to better identify the needs of at-risk people, coordinate services, and ultimately improve health outcomes.
Learn more about Maximus's eligibility and enrollment services for government programs.
About Maximus
As a leading strategic partner to government, Maximus helps improve the delivery of public services amid complex technology, health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. With a deep understanding of program service delivery, acute insights that achieve operational excellence, and an extensive awareness of the needs of the people being served, our employees advance the critical missions of our partners. Maximus delivers innovative business process management, impactful consulting services, and technology solutions that provide improved outcomes for the public and higher levels of productivity and efficiency of government-sponsored programs. For more information, visit maximus.com.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dozens gather at Boston Medical Center to protest Trump''s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,' cuts to Medicaid
Dozens gather at Boston Medical Center to protest Trump''s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,' cuts to Medicaid

Boston Globe

time28 minutes ago

  • Boston Globe

Dozens gather at Boston Medical Center to protest Trump''s ‘Big Beautiful Bill,' cuts to Medicaid

Donald Trump's tax bill, which he signed into law on July 4, will strip about $186 billion from SNAP and close to $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next decade, the Globe Advertisement The bill could strip healthcare coverage from some 250,000 Massachusetts residents, Governor Maura Healey Advertisement Republicans frame the bill as a way to target Medicaid fraud and save money. It would require states to 'We're here to expose the harm of this big, bad bill that will transfer wealth from working people to wealthy people,' said Marlishia Aho, the regional communications director for 1199SEIU. Franswa Jean-Enard, a personal care attendant for his mom and a member of the union, said he's anxious his mom could be stripped of her healthcare benefits 'at any time' because of the cuts even though he has 'all the paperwork to justify her need for it.' She has several conditions, including advanced arthritis, and relies on Medicaid for 'all her care,' including physical therapy and medication. Jean-Enard said it was important for him to protest because even if he isn't ultimately affected, he doesn't want other people to lose access to life-saving treatment. 'Back home in Haiti, there's a saying — when your friend's or neighbor's beard is on fire, put yours in order — which means when something is happening to your neighbor, it could happen to you,' he said. The state requiring more frequent eligibility checks would also be a burden, as Jean-Enard said the paperwork for his mom's Medicaid is already time-consuming and can take months to process. 'I'm hoping it doesn't get to that, but I'm hoping with the help of the union, what we're doing and organizing, we can push back,' he said. Advertisement Jean-Enard said he understands the government wants to streamline spending, but that it shouldn't come at the expense of healthcare. 'Every single PCA is doing crucial work,' he said, adding that his mom's needs will only grow with time. Janice Guzman, also a PCA for her mom, was cut from 'That's why I'm here, fighting back,' Guzman said. 'My mom needs my assistance 24/7 — and I don't get paid for 24/7 — but it's helping me pay my bills. Right now, it's like, what am I going to do?' Others at the protest, like 70-year-old Fe Guidry, a PCA in New Bedford, said they're worried about cuts to SNAP, which Guidry said SNAP 'really helps' her purchase healthy food. 'We're fighting for the benefits that we have,' she said. Emily Spatz can be reached at

Hawaii American Water Granted New Rates by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission
Hawaii American Water Granted New Rates by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

Business Wire

time4 hours ago

  • Business Wire

Hawaii American Water Granted New Rates by Hawaii Public Utilities Commission

HONOLULU--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (HPUC) has approved new wastewater rates for Hawaii American Water's Hawaii Kai, Mauna Lani, and Waimea service areas. The company's rate request was filed on August 5, 2024, and was primarily driven by over $40 million in local infrastructure upgrades in all three districts. The new rates reinforce the company's commitment to replace aging infrastructure, provide safe and reliable service, comply with environmental regulations and support infrastructure improvements for treatment plants, collection systems and pump stations. 'We are committed to making necessary infrastructure investments that allow us to continue providing safe and reliable wastewater services, while also enhancing the systems for long-term sustainability, resiliency and environmental protection,' said Lee Mansfield, Senior Manager Operations, Hawaii American Water. 'Our approach to consistent and efficient investment balanced with managing costs helps us deliver reliable and affordable service to our customers.' New rates are expected to be effective in early August 2025. The typical single-family customer in Hawaii Kai will see a monthly rate increase of approximately $4. For our Big Island operations at Mauna Lani and Waimea the typical single-family customer will see a rate increase of approximately $18 to $25 per month. The last rate adjustments were September 2003 for Mauna Lani operations and January 2011 for Waimea operations. The company last filed a rate case for the Hawaii Kai system in 2021. Customers will receive information about the new rates on their Hawaii American Water bill. Information will also be available on the company's website under Customer Service Billing, Your Wastewater Rates. About American Water American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water's 6,700 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company's national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders. For more information, visit and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram. About Hawaii American Water Hawaii American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, provides high-quality wastewater services to approximately 30,000 people. AWK-IR

Texas Removes 1.8 Million People From Health Care Plan
Texas Removes 1.8 Million People From Health Care Plan

Newsweek

time9 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Texas Removes 1.8 Million People From Health Care Plan

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Almost 1.8 million Americans have been disenrolled from Medicaid health coverage in Texas in the last two years, according to data by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research and news organization. These Americans have lost their health insurance as part of the unwinding process happening nationwide after Medicaid coverage was expanded following the COVID pandemic. A spokesperson for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) told Newsweek it is "committed to ensuring that those qualified for benefits receive them," and worked closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) "throughout the public health emergency and the Medicaid unwind process." "Federal guidance required HHSC to redetermine eligibility for 6 million Medicaid clients over the course of 12 months," they added. "Redetermining eligibility within federal requirements was a massive undertaking. Throughout the unwind, HHSC met with our federal partners on a regular basis to ensure that we followed federal guidance, and we will continue to collaborate with CMS to provide eligible Texans with benefits." Why It Matters The unwinding process has resulted in significant drops in Medicaid enrollment across the U.S. in recent years. While some of those disenrolled from Medicaid may still have had access to other forms of health insurance through their employment, those left without insurance could be in a vulnerable position. Higher rates of uninsured populations in states have been associated with negative impacts on health outcomes and medical costs. File photo: doctors treat a child in a hospital. File photo: doctors treat a child in a hospital. Gerald Herbert/AP What To Know During the pandemic, some states expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while some Americans may have being encouraged to enroll for health coverage given the spread of the virus, causing nationwide enrollment levels to increase. Federal rules then meant states had to keep most Medicaid enrollees on the program even if their eligibility status changed, a requirement which expired in March 2023, allowing states to resume removing individuals from the program. Medicaid enrollment has since steadily declined, driven by both eligibility losses and procedural disenrollments. In Texas, there were 5,922,450 covered by Medicaid in March 2023, but by March 2025, that number was 4,164,694, KFF data shows. This marks a change of almost 1.8 million, a rate of decline faster than in Florida, California and New York. The number of people with Medicaid coverage is now just lower than February 2020 levels, a difference of 1 percent. Reasons for Texas' steeper drop in Medicaid enrollment could be because of the fact it, combined with Florida, New York and California, made up a significant proportion of Medicaid enrollment before the unwinding, Timothy McBride, a professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, told Newsweek. All four states together accounted for 36 percent of Medicaid enrollment and subsequently accounted for 31 percent of the drop in the unwinding period between 2020 and 2025, he added. This is in part because the states have large populations, but also because they have some of lowest percentages of health insurance coverage by employers or private plans, McBride said. This is due to "higher poverty rates, especially in Florida and Texas, fewer good jobs that offer health insurance, and a higher percentage of nonwhite persons, especially in Florida, Texas, and California," he said. "If they do not have private coverage they seek Medicaid," he added. For those that were able to gain health insurance through private coverage once being rolled off Medicaid, there is little concern. However, those that may remain uninsured as a result of the unwinding process "I am worried about," McBride said. "The negative outcomes could be delays in seeking needed medical care leading to worse outcomes, lack of prevention, which is especially problematic if they have chronic conditions, bad mental health and financial outcomes, and higher medical debt since they have to pay for more out of pocket," he added. What People Are Saying Timothy D. McBride, professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, told Newsweek: "Part of the drop is people who maintained Medicaid coverage on paper because they got it at some point during the pandemic but remained there through the PHE. Yet some may have moved along and obtained other coverage, so really were not needing the Medicaid anyway. The group we are concerned about is those who have become uninsured or who lost the coverage for procedural reasons. It appears from some work that maybe 30 percent or so of those who lost coverage may be uninsured. And a lot of people—around that number lost coverage for procedural reasons, many of them children." Laura Dague, a professor of health policy at Texas A&M University, told Newsweek: "How impactful the decreases in enrollment will be in terms of individual health depend on how aware people were of their ongoing coverage and how often they used it, and there is not much empirical evidence on this topic at the moment. A much bigger issue for Texas in my opinion will be the upcoming projected decreases in Marketplace enrollment due to decreasing subsidies; Texas has had major growth in that market in the last few years as subsidies increased." What Happens Next As the unwinding continues, more reductions in enrollment are expected in the state, and across the country. With millions already having lost health coverage, concerns remain about access to care for low-income individuals and families.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store