HJNO Nov/Dec 2019

Healthcare Journal of New Orleans I  NOV / DEC 2019 33 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com as depression and anxiety, while also addressing social risk factors for depression, such as poverty and access to housing. Also, the results of health research often do not target or reach the affected patient populations. Cardiovascular Institute of the South Celebrates 36th Anniversary Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is cel- ebrating its 36th anniversary of providing com- plete cardiovascular care to communities in south Louisiana. In the past year, from August of 2018 to date, CIS has treated nearly 115,000 patients in Louisiana and beyond. Beginning as a one-man practice under the leadership of Dr. Craig Walker in Houma, La., CIS has grown to become a world-renowned prac- tice with more than 60 physicians and 800 team members with 19 locations and seven telecardi- ology sites. “Our greatest accomplishment has been that we have dramatically improved cardiovascular outcomes in each of the areas where we have established practices, and this is confirmed by national statistics,” said Dr. Craig Walker, interventional cardiologist and Founder, presi- dent and medical director at CIS. “We have now treated patients from every inhabited continent and from every U.S. state which is far beyond our early dreams.” Walker began CIS with the intent to provide car- diac and peripheral vascular care to south cen- tral Louisiana. Throughout the years, CIS has pio- neered many “firsts” including participating in the first peripheral stent trial in 1988 and the first cor- onary stent trial in 1989. These are just examples of the many “firsts” that CIS continues to pioneer, using new devices and procedure techniques, which have earned CIS international acclaim as a leader of research and development in cardiovas- cular care. Most recently, CIS was the first in Loui- siana to use the BASILICA Procedure Technique for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, the first in the southeast U.S. to use the Tack Endo- vascular System to treat peripheral artery disease, and first in the country to use the Mynx closure device for venous disease. In putting patients first, CIS has contributed sig- nificantly to the advancement and development of non-surgical treatments for cardiovascular dis- ease, with a special focus also on peripheral artery disease in the legs. These interventional proce- dures are minimally-invasive, involving a much lower risk for our patients and less recovery time than surgery. “From the beginning, we sought out new techniques and helped to develop techniques to better care for our patients,” said Walker.  CIS has established a first-of-its-kind Virtual Care Center in Lafayette, offering patients 24/7 access to their care team through a variety of pro- grams, increasing access to care, improving out- comes, and enhancing communication between the patient and the provider. CIS also recently announced its plans to develop a cardiac rehab facility in Lafayette, offering a holistic approach through exercise and nutrition to help patients with chronic conditions in the healing of their hearts. CIS continues to grow and expand to multiple locations, opening new clinics and offering tele- cardiology services to rural hospitals, to make the most advanced cardiovascular care accessible to more communities. “I take great pride in the fact that CIS has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive cardiovascular programs anywhere in the world,” said Walker. State Announces Intent to Contract with Four Managed Care Companies for Medicaid Enrollees The Louisiana Department of Health announced its intent to contract with four Medicaid managed care organizations following a state bid process that began in February when the Department issued a request for proposals. The Department has selected AmeriHealth Car- itas Louisiana, Community Care Health Plan of Louisiana (Healthy Blue), Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, and United Healthcare Commu- nity Plan as its managed care partners (or health plans) beginning in January 2020. The selected managed care organizations will be responsible for providing Medicaid benefits and services to eligible children and adults in Louisiana. Most Medicaid enrollees receive their health- care through the managed care delivery model, with the exception of long-term supports and services. The participating managed care orga- nizations are paid on a per-member-per-month (PMPM) basis. Under this arrangement, Medicaid pays managed care organizations a monthly fee to manage the health needs of their members.  Medicaid made $7.6 billion in payments to the five managed care organizations during the 2018 fiscal year. These payments covered more than 1.7 million Medicaid enrollees. The current contracts with United Healthcare Community Plan, AmeriHealth Caritas, Louisiana Healthcare Connections, Aetna, and Healthy Blue expire Dec. 31, 2019. Medicaid enrollment information The award of these new contracts will not affect the Medicaid eligibility of any member. However, members may need to choose a new health plan if their current health plan is not awarded a new Medicaid contract.  Members will have the opportunity to select a new health plan through the open enrollment process beginning in October. Medicaid will provide assistance and information to members through the Medicaid website, from Medicaid providers, and mail alerts. Xavier University Pharmacy Dean tohelp lead American Heart Association Kathleen Kennedy, PharmD, was elected to the American Heart Association Southeast Board of Directors. Kennedy will serve on the board dur- ing the Association’s 2019-2020 fiscal year. The American Heart Association is the world’s lead- ing voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The American Heart Association South- east region services Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Car- olina, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico.  Kennedy is professor and dean of the College of Pharmacy at Xavier University of Louisiana.  “The American Heart Association’s dedica- tion to improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans is vitally important work,” said Ken- nedy. “I am honored to serve as a board member and look forward to helping the American Heart Association continue to lead the fight to save lives from cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”