The Arkansas Department of Insurance announced today that ForeverCare, Inc. is certified and licensed as a PASSE (Provider-owned Arkansas Shared Saving Entity) to provide access to healthcare for Medicaid eligible residents of Arkansas. ForeverCare, along with three other provider-led health plans, will deliver access to healthcare through the PASSE model of care, which is unique to Arkansas and provides coordination of physical health, behavioral health and home and community services to vulnerable Arkansans who qualify for these services due to specific health conditions. Care coordination is increasingly important to Medicaid programs and has shown success in improving health outcomes of individuals while reducing costs. ForeverCare is comprised of six partner organizations that represent over 300 years of experience and success in delivering high quality healthcare to deserving Arkansans.
The organizations that comprise ForeverCare include provider types and organizations that are focused on delivering the best and most innovative healthcare to Arkansans and include: Rehabilitation Network Outpatient Services (RehabNet), Community Services, Incorporated (CSI), Arkansas Pharmacists Association, Community Clinic, Ouachita County Medical Center (OCMC), and Gateway Health.
Over 30,000 individuals in Arkansas will be eligible for membership in ForeverCare when enrollment begins in 2018. ForeverCare was certified by the Arkansas DHS and licensed as a new PASSE based on the fulfillment of network adequacy requirements so that Medicaid enrollees have access to Behavioral Health services, Developmental Disabilities services, Hospitals, Physicians and Pharmacies within a 60 mile radius. The mission of ForeverCare is to provide eligible and deserving Arkansans with high quality healthcare services through a provider-led, closely coordinated team approach which will improve outcomes and lower costs.
“This is an exciting time for Arkansas and those deserving residents who stand poised to gain access to superior healthcare and services from a health plan that truly understands and responds to their complex and often overwhelming needs,” said LaShannon Spencer, interim ForeverCare President. “We look forward to working closely with all of our partner organizations, the State and our communities to give the most vulnerable individuals the care they deserve and the State of Arkansas a Medicaid health plan that can exceed their very important needs and expectations.”
The Arkansas Department of Insurance news release announcing ForeverCare can be found here: https://insurance.arkansas.gov/news/2017/nov/21/kerr-approves-fourth-provider-led-company/