The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is seeking public input to help shape the future of Medicaid services as Idaho begins its transition to comprehensive managed care. A new state law directs Idaho Medicaid to procure contracts for managed care organizations (MCOs) to coordinate and deliver the full range of Medicaid-covered services.
To support this work, DHW has launched a public Request for Information (RFI), a statewide survey open through Dec. 31. Medicaid members, providers, managed care organizations, and pharmacy benefit managers are encouraged to share their priorities for the state as DHW writes the new managed care contracts.
“Our goal is to build a managed care system that truly reflects what Idahoans need from their health care,” said DHW Director Juliet Charron. “We want to hear directly from the people we serve and from those who deliver care. Your voices will help us build a system that supports better access, strong outcomes, and long-term sustainability.”
In comprehensive managed care, states contract with MCOs to provide all Medicaid services — from doctor visits to prescriptions to hospital care. Member and provider protections are required under state and federal law, including timely provider payments, strong network adequacy standards, quality measures, appeal rights, and safeguards around prior authorizations.
The managed care RFI survey tailors questions based on a respondent’s role with Medicaid. To expand participation, DHW is also hosting statewide listening sessions in every region between November 2025 and May 2026, with interpreters available upon request. Upcoming sessions include Rexburg (Dec. 15), Caldwell (Jan. 6), a virtual-only session (Feb. 3), Gooding (Mar. 10), Boise Westgate (Apr. 7), Coeur d’Alene (May 26), and Lewiston (May 28).
More information and the RFI survey link are available at www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/managedcare.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.