Last week, the Health Care Authority (HCA) released a request for applications (RFA) for the procurement of public option plans offered under Cascade Care with coverage to begin January 1, 2021. The RFA materials are available on HCA’s Bids and contracts page. Successful health plan bidders will need to meet network adequacy requirements. Cascade Care health plans will need to maintain a payment ceiling for all participating providers and facilities not to exceed 160 percent of the aggregate amount Medicare would have reimbursed. There are exceptions for Critical Access and Sole Community hospitals as well as primary care providers.
Interested health plans must file a letter of intent by Friday, March 13, 2020. By May 22, bidders will need to submit premium information and at least of 75 percent of their anticipated provider network contracts. Provider and facility participation in Cascade Care is voluntary. HCA will announce apparent successful applicants on July 7, 2020. Additional information regarding the procurement process can be found on HCA’s Cascade Care page. (Shirley Prasad, shirleyp@wsha.org)
