Many states are working with health plans to develop managed care programs that integrate services for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees or those receiving long-term services and supports. In doing so, states are creating early implementation strategies to smooth the transition of beneficiaries and providers from the fee-for-service environment into managed care.

This brief, made possible through support from The Commonwealth Fund and The SCAN Foundation, describes strategies used by Medicaid agencies in four states – California, Florida, Massachusetts, and Texas – to facilitate implementation of new managed care programs. The state strategies fall under two broad categories: (1) leveraging health plan readiness review; and (2) monitoring implementation. These strategies can guide additional states in launching managed integrated care or long-term services and supports programs. The insights from these four states can also inform health plans working to manage beneficiary and provider transitions.