On June 13, 2025, the Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF), along with the Texas Association of City and County Health Officials (TACCHO), Texas Association of Health Plans and Texas Association of Community Health Plans hosted a convening to discuss previous challenges and future opportunities for local health departments (LHDs) and Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) to better coordinate. LHDs are facing significant cuts and funding shortages and need to ensure they can be reimbursed for seeing Medicaid members. Texas public health departments are bracing for another $119 million in federal cuts. Three months ago, Texas lost $700 million in unspent federal pandemic-era funding. This makes it even more important for MCOs and LHDs to collaborate.
Many LHDs are not currently enrolled or if enrolled, are not currently billing for all the services they provide. MCOs often struggle to fully understand the scope of LHDs services and programs but have their own pain points that LHDs could help address. The meeting provided an opportunity for LHDs to learn about Medicaid and Medicaid managed care and for MCOs to learn more about LHDs. Most importantly, the meeting provided an opportunity to network and identify ways to improve coordination. Over 75 individuals registered for the event consisting of a mix of MCO, LHD, HHSC, DSHS, foundation, and association staff.
