Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS)

In accordance with the requirements of the federal Medicaid authority, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Medical Assistance Services gives Notice that the Agency is publishing for public comment a final draft of the DMAS 2011 Managed Care Quality Strategy.  The Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 42 C.F.R. § 438.202, requires states that contract with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) to have a written strategy for assessing and improving the quality of managed care services offered by all MCOs.  It also requires those states to obtain the input of recipients and other stakeholders in the development of the strategy and to make the strategy available for public comment before adopting it in final.  The purpose of this Notice is to fulfill that requirement.  This strategy was originally posted on  2/23/2011 until 03/25/2011.  Two comment letters were received and added to the appendices of the strategy.   The strategy was then reviewed by CMS.  CMS provided suggestions for additional content, of which DMAS agreed and added. The additions can be found highlighted on pages 5, 8, 9, 25, 26, 27. 

CMS reviewed the additional content and approved the strategy.  The CMS approval letter is included in the appendix as the back page.  

A copy of the DMAS Final Draft 2011 Managed Care Quality Strategy may be viewed on the DMAS web site at the following address:

http://dmasva.dmas.virginia.gov/Content_atchs/mc/mc-qs.pdf

This Notice is being made available for comment by interested parties through June 21, 2011.  Following this public notice period, DMAS shall take into consideration the public comments received by the Agency.  Anyone wishing to provide public comment on the Final DMAS Draft 2011 Managed Care Quality Strategy may submit their comments to:

Carol L. Stanley, MS, CPHQ

Quality Improvement Analyst

Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Service

Division of Health Care Services

Suite 1300, 600 East Broad Street

Richmond, Virginia  23219

Phone (804) 371-7980

Carol.Stanley@dmas.virginia.gov