The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services announced Lawrence Kissner as the new commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services.
Previously, Mr. Kissner served as president and CEO of one of the two managed care companies that Kentucky's Medicaid program contracts with — Magnolia Health Plan, which is a subsidiary of Centene.
Some viewed this as a potential conflict of interest, according to a Courier-Journal report. However, the CHFS said it has instilled several safeguards to avert any conflicts of interest. For example, Mr. Kissner cannot participate in bidding for managed care contracts, and all contract disputes must go through CHFS' secretary.
Mr. Kissner, who will make $144,000 in this position, will officially start on July 1.
Kentucky's Medicaid program covers more than 800,000 poor and low-income Kentucky residents and has an annual budget of approximately $6 billion.
Previously, Mr. Kissner served as president and CEO of one of the two managed care companies that Kentucky's Medicaid program contracts with — Magnolia Health Plan, which is a subsidiary of Centene.
Some viewed this as a potential conflict of interest, according to a Courier-Journal report. However, the CHFS said it has instilled several safeguards to avert any conflicts of interest. For example, Mr. Kissner cannot participate in bidding for managed care contracts, and all contract disputes must go through CHFS' secretary.
Mr. Kissner, who will make $144,000 in this position, will officially start on July 1.
Kentucky's Medicaid program covers more than 800,000 poor and low-income Kentucky residents and has an annual budget of approximately $6 billion.
More Articles on Medicaid:
3 Managed Care Companies Obtain Kansas Medicaid Contracts
Ohio Judge Halts Medicaid Managed Care Contracts at Aetna's Request
Alaska Medicaid Settles HIPAA Security Case for $1.7M