CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Working with the West Virginia government is nothing new to Aetna Better Health of West Virginia; the company has managed the benefits of people in the state Medicaid program since 1996.
Now, Aetna Better Health of West Virginia has a larger task: manage the states’ foster care system and options for thousands of children.
“A lot of those activities we are well versed in; care coordination, case management, all those really vital aspects we have a lot of really strong people that live here and really know the culture, know the situation in the state and their state partners as well,” said Todd White, the CEO of the health care group. “We’re anxious to get started and start rolling out some of our programs that kids in the foster care program now don’t have access to.”
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announced last week a contract worth an estimated $200 million for managing the overloaded system. More than 7,000 children are currently in the system, and the state is facing a class-action lawsuit and allegations of failing the state’s youngest citizens.
Josh Boynton, the vice president of Aetna Better Living, said the state has been busy changing the current system as well as pushing initiatives in the name of improvement.
“We really can’t think of a better first partner than West Virginia to roll out this revolutionary new approach,” he said. “This is a collaborative one, a proactive one. It’s a holistic approach, and it’s not only focused on the child’s well-being but the family’s well-being.”
Boynton said it’s important for the organization to help children as “the foundation of lifelong health are built in childhood.”
“As a health care leader in this state for many, many years, we are excited to stand shoulder to shoulder with the state, with their families, with providers, with advocates, all of the stakeholders and the kids that we’re supporting,” he said. “This is a collaborative approach. It’s one where we firmly believe the solutions are in West Virginia and the families, the kids, the communities and the providers. Our approach is about bringing people together.”
Having Aetna Better Health of West Virginia as a managed care organization will allow for tailored services to meet the needs of the state and the foster care system, as well as coordination of care between members and transitioning children to community-based treatment in the state.
The move will result in around 20,000 new members to Aetna for services.
Aetna Better Health of West Virginia will hire around 100 new employees focused on this new task.
Some employees will be based in Charleston, but White noted employees will be based around the state.
“If someone is living in Jefferson County or Wheeling or down in McDowell (County), we’re anxious. We’re anxious for folks that are willing to get their hands dirty and get in and help us with this new project,” he said.
“It’s a local approach,” Boynton added. “That’s what we are most proud of, and I think that is what people will see.”