Ohio state to expand Medicaid program to more counties

Unison Health Plan of Ohio announced the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will extend a contract that will enable Unison to offer its programs for aged, blind and disabled (ABD) Medicaid recipients in 18 additional Northwest Ohio counties.

Unison is expanding its service area into Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties. The Medicaid health plans will be available for enrollment Oct. 1.

“We look forward to bringing our Medicaid programs to more people in Northwest Ohio and helping provide them a comprehensive Health Care Home,” said Jeff Corzine, executive director, Unison Health Plan of Ohio, now part of AmeriChoice, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company. “Our contract extension with the state of Ohio is a reflection of our commitment to help our customers have access to quality, cost-effective care.”

Unison is one of Ohio’s largest Medicaid coordinated care plans, which earlier this year received its initial NCQA Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Its health plans include Ohio Medicaid and ABD Plus in Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Columbiana, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washington and Wayne counties – and Medicare in Belmont, Columbiana, Harrison, Holmes, Mahoning, Trumbull and Wayne counties.

Throughout Ohio, following its 2008 acquisition by AmeriChoice, Unison today provides Medicaid services for more than 110,000 people in 28 counties. When the contract with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services is ratified, Unison’s service area will encompass 46 counties statewide.