Molina Healthcare Wins Medi-Cal Contract
The state will renew its Medi-Cal contract with Molina Healthcare of California to provide health coverage to beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Last year, the Department of Health Services awarded the Medi-Cal contract to Blue Cross of California, saying Molina failed to file a complete list of its physician network in the counties. Molina challenged the decision, and the department was ordered to reconsider the decision or seek new contract bids.
On Friday, the state decided to award Molina a new contract after reviewing the HMO's network. About 90,000 patients in Riverside and San Bernardino counties will be affected by the decision.
Blue Cross has until Monday to file an administrative challenge to Molina's contract. Blue Cross spokesperson Leslie Porras said the insurer would not comment on the matter while an appeal is pending (Beeman, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 5/31).