IN Community Links

Late in the fall of 2005, Indiana's Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) proposed to create Managed Care Entities to replace the current Managed Care Organizations in a rebid for Hoosier Healthwise risk-based managed care, effective January 1, 2007.

IPHCA's FQHC Forum discussed the FSSA proposal, its impact on the health care environment, and its potential implications for the state's FQHCs.  A MCO Task Force was created to further explore the potential implications and opportunities for the FQHCs.  Lynn Clothier (Indiana Health Centers), Jane Waddington (Indiana Health Centers), Michael Dale (Madison County Community Health Center), and Beth Wrobel (Hilltop Community Health Center) were chosen to serve on the MCO Task Force.  Lynn Clothier served as Chairman.

At the same time, Lisa Winternheimer, IPHCA’s CEO, discussed the FSSA proposal and changing managed care environment with IPHCA’s Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC) Program Officer, Rebecca Braccia.  Rebecca worked with Marie Legaspi in arranging for IPHCA to work with two consultants to examine the opportunities for the FQHCs.  The BPHC has paid for this technical assistance, which began at the end of January 2006. 

Joe Doolittle and Paul Infantino are the consultants.  Per his bio, “Mr. Doolittle brings over 25 years of HMO leadership experience in development and operations of Staff, Group and network HMOs, in forming strategic partnerships, and served for 19 years as a founding member of the Management Team of the Capital Area Community Health Plan.”  Paul Infantino has served as a Financial Consultant and advisor to senior level management teams.  He brings over 20 years experience as a Chief Financial Officer.

FSSA’s final proposal did not create Managed Care Entities.  Three statewide Managed Care Organizations were selected as vendors: Managed Health Services, MDwise, and Anthem.  The Medicaid member enrolls by choosing the MCO, not the provider.  A provider can contract with multiple MCOs.

The MCO Task Force invited Mary Haupert (Neighborhood Health Centers) as Chairman of the FQHC Forum, and Toni Estep (Open Door/BMH Health Center) as President of the IPHCA Board of Directors, to join the Task Force.  The MCO Task Force, Alice Rae, and Lisa Winternheimer started meeting with Joe Doolittle and Paul Infantino in March 2006.  Several opportunities were explored including the creation of a Community Health Center owned managed care company.  In the end, the MCO Task Force recommended the creation of a Management Services Organization.

In June 2006, the IPHCA Board of Directors approved a motion to proceed with contract negotiations with the MCOs and the creation of a separate company for the Management Services Organization.  Tom Ruge, IPHCA’s legal counsel, drafted an operating agreement for the creation of Indiana Community Links, a limited liability corporation.  The first meeting of Indiana Community Links occurred on January 16, 2007.

Any IPHCA Primary Care Provider Organizational member may make a capital contribution in the amount of $5,000 or $10,000 to become a voting member of Indiana Community Links.  A Memorandum of Agreement is available for review for eligible interested IPHCA members.

Indiana Community Links is currently in contract negotiations with two companies.  No meetings are scheduled at this time.

For questions, please contact Lisa Winternheimer, President and CEO, at 317-630-0845 or lwinternheimer@indianapca.org.