(WASHINGTON, DC)- The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) today announced that the beneficiaries and health care providers of DC Chartered Health Plan (Chartered) should experience no interruption in services or payments as the Department and Chartered resolve contract issues. Chartered is one of three managed-care organizations (MCO's) chosen by the District to provide health care services to DC residents who participate in the Medicaid and Alliance health programs.

"All health care prov iders who deliver services to beneficiaries in Chartered's health plan should continue to work with the managed care company to ensure beneficiary access to routine, urgent, specialty, and emergency care. Chartered will continue to process payments for these services under the existing contracts between the health plan and the providers in its network" said DHCF Director Wayne Turnage.

Moreover, DHCF is moving forward with its plans to rebid the entire managed care program and is working closely with the District's Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) to release an RFP in the month of October. Director Turnage stated, "Through the RFP process, we plan to award new five year contracts to managed care companies with a demonstrated commitment to effective care coordination for Medicaid and Alliance beneficiaries. Our related goal is to ensure that the chosen MCOs have a genuine interest in a real partnership with the District of Columbia."

The District's two other MCOs that provide services to Medicaid and Alliance beneficiaries are UnitedHealthcare Community Plan and MedStar Family Choice. Beneficiaries can call the DHCF Office of the Health Care Ombudsman and Bill of Rights at (202) 724-7491 or Toll-free at 1-877-685-6391 if they need assistance in accessing health care services.