Provider Update: CENTENE TO EQUIP CRITICAL MEDICAID PROVIDERS WITH TELEHEALTH RESOURCES

Date: 04/27/20

The parent company of Trillium Community Health Plan (Trillium), Centene Corporation, announced on April 22 the creation of a Medicaid Telehealth Partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) to help Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) quickly ramp-up their capacity to provide telehealth solutions to meet the needs created by the COVID-19 crisis. Centene is dedicating $5 million to the partnership’s efforts, which will be used to purchase equipment and provide training and technical assistance to FQHCs. Centene has expanded membership access via Telehealth and has been supportive of provider practices to ensure care continuity during the COVID-19 crisis.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has further strengthened our belief that telehealth solutions will significantly improve access to quality care for our most vulnerable populations," said Michael F. Neidorff, Chairman, President and CEO of Centene. "We are proud to partner with NACHC to accelerate the development of our country’s telehealth infrastructure so we can take care of underserved communities across the nation."

"This unprecedented crisis has thrust health centers into new areas of care in a matter of weeks," said Dr. Ron Yee, Chief Medical Officer, National Association of Community Health Centers. "The health centers have converted their facilities, expanded telehealth for virtual visits to safely screen patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with Centene, we envision a collaboration that identifies what health centers need in terms of technology, equipment, and assistance to address COVID-19 and builds a path forward for the sustainable integration of telehealth in community health care settings."

As part of this effort, the partnership will convene FQHCs, as well as Medicaid and telehealth thought leaders, from across the country to pursue a national solution to telehealth implementation for Medicaid programs. Centene is committed to creating a scalable, sustainable solution that also encourages state-specific innovations. The Medicaid telehealth partnership looks forward to working closely with federal and state representatives in the coming months to collaborate on developing effective regulatory and policy guidance.

Centene's COVID-19 Resource Center provides additional details about commitments the company has made to help members and providers during the pandemic, as well as coverage information and updates about Centene’s work in health systems internationally.