Comment on State officials say Iowa Medicaid is improving — but providers are still concerned

It was almost three years ago that Iowa handed over its Medicaid program to private, out-of-state insurance companies. Has the move been a success? It depends on whom you ask.The governor, for one, has said she’s tired of hearing from health care providers who still aren’t receiving payment on time.According to Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven, managed care has matured beyond its issues of the past in recent months and is beginning to benefit the health of Iowans enrolled in the program.“The goal is, at some point, for managed care to actually start improving the health of the citizens — that’s why we call it managed care,” Foxhoven said in an interview with The Gazette.