Medicaid directors seize opportunity to boost state programs

The Center for Health Care Strategies recently announced that six state Medicaid directors have been chosen to participate as Fellows in the 2011 class of the Medicaid Leadership Institute.

The Medicaid Leadership Institute is the first intensive leadership development program specifically created for Medicaid directors. The curriculum is delivered through in-person meetings, state site-visits, technical assistance related to the practicum, and individualized leadership coaching.

The program is "designed to enhance the substantive knowledge, technical skills, strategic thinking, problem solving, and individualized leadership skills necessary for directors to effectively manage and improve the quality of their state Medicaid programs and lead national health reform efforts on high quality, cost effective care."

There are three different "legs" to the Institute: 1) big picture policy issues; 2) use of data and analytics in program improvement; and 3) leadership development.

Healthcare Finance News Associate Editor Chelsey Ledue spoke with Darin Gordon, Medicaid Director for Tennessee, about his appointment as a 2011 Fellow to the Medicaid Leadership Institute.

What encouraged you to apply for the fellowship?
My background is primarily in finance, so I'm very interested in this. I've worked in the governor's office, and I was responsible for the healthcare budgets. The TennCare program [Tennessee's Medicaid program] came next and I was chief financial officer for two years before becoming director four years ago. The way that the program is designed, each applicant has to submit a practicum and (Tennessee) wants to raise the bar from a quality perspective and improve the role we play with our managed care organizations.

What did your practicum focus on?
We looked at how best we can improve upon our quality outcomes. There is a lot of fertile ground. The Southeast region is not known for quality outcomes, so we want to develop a delivery system model that will lead to improvements.

What do you expect to learn?
The Institute program provides opportunities to improve the Medicaid programs in Tennessee. You always want to "up your game," to improve upon your skills. I think there are plenty of things we can learn from each other. I can learn from national experts and peers on how to better serve the dual-eligible population, for instance. It's hard to believe that I won't come out of this with better ideas on how to lead a $7.5 million program. The timing of this (program) couldn't be better.

What are the next steps after you complete the program?
The next steps include being able to bring the lessons learned back to Tennessee. With healthcare reform, the state Medicaid programs are only going to become larger. Quality and cost effectiveness and the ability to be a game changer are important. Technical assistance will also be provided in order to overcome the issues identified in Medicaid directors' practicums. We're looking for the next area in which we can take a step forward in Tennessee. We're implementing long-term care services, and we're one of the first states to integrate behavioral health into the Medicaid entity. I've been talking to people who went through the last class and they were excited. I look forward to participating in this opportunity.