7 insurers intervene in aetna suit against state Medicaid

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Seven insurers now are intervening in aetna's lawsuit against Ohio for rejecting its contract to administer the state's Medicaid program after it initially selected the insurer.

Aetna's lawsuit calls into question the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services's (JFS) bidding and selection process of private insurers to manage certain Medicaid contracts worth $18 billion, reported the Columbus Dispatch.

Aetna wants JFS to reinstate its contract, which the department revoked after two insurers, Molina Healthcare and Centene, protested the original contract-bidding protest. Aetna held the contract to manage almost 2 million of Ohio's Medicaid recipients for two short months until the JFS reviewed all bids.

Now five insurers--Paramount Advantage, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, Molina Healthcare, CareSource, Buckeye Community Health Plan--are intervening in aetna's lawsuit. They all currently hold contracts to begin managing Ohio's Medicaid program in January. By intervening in the case, the companies can plead their own interests, arguing against reinstating aetna's contract, Columbus Business First reported.

Amerigroup and WellCare, which JFS rejected in the initial bidding phase, were also allowed to intervene, despite aetna's protests. They're hoping the court either will award them contracts or order a completely new bidding process.

The case goes to trial Aug. 13.

To learn more:
- see the Columbus Dispatch article
- read the Columbus Business First article

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