State is ready for new MaineCare computer system
12/10/09 | 10 comments
Guest Column

State is ready for new MaineCare computer system


By Brenda M. Harvey

The horror stories that go along with the installation of new computer systems are legion. Look no further than the FBI or California’s newest finance system to see how huge projects can have terrible trouble.

Maine has its own issues with large-scale computer transitions. The most notorious caused significant problems for the Department of Health and Human Services and providers who depend on the state for their businesses.

In early 2010, Maine will turn the page on that computer system when it switches to the Maine Integrated Health Management Solution System, or MIHMS. The new system will bring state-of-the-art claims processing and important data tools to the MaineCare system.

Many elements in MIHMS are required by the federal government, which has also provided about 90 percent of the funding for the $54.6 million project. But like any change of this nature, the transition has caused some folks who will rely on the new system to worry. Memories of the old system are fresh and participation in the new one requires a little effort upfront.

To continue to get paid, providers must enroll in the new system. As the Dec. 23 enrollment deadline approaches, there are still a number of providers who haven’t signed up.

Maine has been aggressive in reaching out to providers to keep them informed of the coming change. Efforts began in December 2008. Since then, DHHS has held 116 educational forums to explain how providers can participate. Payments have included reminders. And messages have been sent directly to current MaineCare providers, as well as included in provider newsletters.

In addition, an enrollment Web site was built that includes frequently asked questions and solutions to areas where providers have told us they need help. Before launching the enrollment web portal, nearly two-dozen providers were part of the testing environment and put the process through its paces. This group included every provider type that bills in MaineCare and based on what we learned, some updates were made and later retested before the launch.

At every turn, the department has looked for innovative ways to talk openly about the coming change and be proactive in helping providers participate. At this point, about 46 percent of providers have signed up for the system.

We are committed to helping our partners, who provide direct services to more than 280,000 Mainers.

While any transition of this size will see its share of problems, we are taking a personalized approach to help individual providers navigate enrollment. In some cases, that means regular telephone calls and ongoing support.

We are familiar with the plight of Paula Benson, who does the billing for her husband’s practice and has struggled with enrollment. Through hard work and a commitment to service, we have helped Benson overcome problems with enrollment and as of today, her husband’s practice is ready for the transition next year.

We appreciate the support of providers as we move forward with MIHMS. If you are a provider and have not yet enrolled, please go to https://mainecare.maine.gov to access the portal. For individual providers, the process could take as little as five minutes. Provider Relations staff is a phone call away at 1-800-321-5557, Option 8.

It’s no surprise that some people are skeptical of our ability to install a new billing and payment system. Past performance was not up to the level demanded by Gov. John Baldacci and expected by staff and our partners. But we have learned from the past.

We are taking great care — testing and retesting — to assure that when we go live with our new system, we will be successful.

Brenda M. Harvey is the commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.

Not registered? Click here
E-mail this
Print this
Guidelines for posting on bangordailynews.com

Bangordailynews.com is pleased to offer a forum for readers to react to our stories, discuss them and provide additional information. We are reluctant to delete comments, but do reserve that right for those who abuse our forum. For more on using this site, please see our terms of service.

The primary rule here is pretty simple: Treat others with the same respect you'd want for yourself. What does that mean specifically? Here are some guidelines (see more):

Comments
10 comments on this item
On 12/9/09 at 9:40 PM, chersully2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Yes, there is a basis for skepticism; hopefully this new system will prove to be much more efficient and successful than in the past. Some of the steps cited here sound promising, such as the individualized "attention" in which a provider can call regularly for support and help with this transition. Let's hope!

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 9:24 AM, zonc156 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

This system cost about $50 for every person in Maine? And it becomes required for payment in two weeks and more than half of the providers have yet to sign up? If this woman doesn't see a cluster coming her way, she is about as bright as the rest of dems that run this suffering state.

Zonc

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 9:25 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have only one question, is it going to cost taxpayers $360,000.00 every time you change systems?

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 9:39 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I have only one question, is it going to cost taxpayers $360,000.00 every time you change systems?

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 1:26 PM, David889327 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Is there anyone in state gov't who actually knows how to drive it? Hold on to your seats, everyone!

(Maybe someone from UM's Computer Science Dept. ought to be kept close by?)

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 1:42 PM, Stevey_Dee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

That was 2 questions Harry.

They probably had some out of state company come in a change it over instead of going local.

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 6:16 PM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Telefunkinu47 wrote:

"They probably had some out of state company come in a change it over instead of going local."

What else is new?? They go out of State for all the upper level University jobs, All the major cities have out-of-state city managers, Even the guys who cut the branches off trees for the electric company are from New Hampshire, and it says so right on the side of their truck. Of course we can't find any out-of-work tree cutters in Maine. We even had an out-of-State Governor who saw nothing wrong with getting the granite facing for the State House from Georgia. ...and we wonder why our children leave as soon as they finish school.

Report abuse
On 12/10/09 at 8:49 PM, DavidH wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What Commissioner Harvey is worried about is this an indication that the Health Care Professional community is fed up with Augusta's game of chance. And they will no longer accept Mainecare patients. Something is keeping them from signing up. Maybe one of those things when the doctors staff takes one look at the application process and says oh no not this time! Especially with what happened in the recent past apply and wait and wait to get their money maybe. What is this deadline business, for those who want to get paid right away with the new program. Making it sound if you don't sign up by the deadline then maybe you can't join at all. That is a plus point for wanting to join up and a positive way of looking at things. (not) Some of these staffs talk to each other and some have expressed the frustration and dismay with that sign up process. What seems to be leaking out about it that it is not user friendly. A definite plus in getting people to use your "new" system. If you are in Augusta the world revolves around you and everyone need to be fluent in bureaucrat speak. Commissioner Harvey needs to speak to some of the folks that are "waiting" to sign up. Giving the project to a underling that you are not going to listen too isn't going to solve the problem. Neither is whining to media.

Report abuse
On 12/11/09 at 8:21 AM, SteveH wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The problem with the "old system" was that the state choose an inexperienced vendor who also happended to be the low bidder. The state then proceeded to miss-mange the project. Sometimes you get what you pay for. Best of luck with the new system. The same folks who managed the first mess are still there so let's hope the vendor they choose knows what they are doing.

Report abuse
On 12/16/09 at 7:18 AM, Tired2008 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hold on to your shorts everybody.....a new computer system with no one knowing how to run it. This ought to be good!

Report abuse
You must be logged in to post a comment. click here to log in.

Powered by: Creative Circle Advertising Solutions, Inc.