This week, our In Focus section reviews the request for responses (RFR) for the Massachusetts One Care and Senior Care Options (SCO) programs, released by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) on November 30, 2023. The programs provide physical, behavioral, long-term services and supports (LTSS), and other community services to Medicare and Medicaid dual-eligible beneficiaries. Implementation is set to begin January 1, 2026.
One Care
One Care launched in 2013 as a Section 1115 Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP) program dual demonstration waiver. It operates under a financial alignment initiative (FAI) capitated model. The program provides integrated care to dual eligible adults ages 21 to 64. Individuals may remain enrolled in One Care when they turn 65 years old as long as they continue to meet all other requirements. Members can also access an independent LTSS coordinator.
As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) sunsets the FAI dual demonstrations, One Care will shift to a Fully Integrated Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (FIDE SNP) beginning in 2026, pending federal approval of the Section 1115 amendment request. Members will have exclusively aligned enrollment with the same plan for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
SCO
SCO launched in 2004 and is currently a FIDE SNP with exclusively aligned enrollment. Medicaid enrollees ages 65 and older with or without Medicare are eligible. Enrollment in this managed care program is voluntary. Individuals on the Frail Elder Waiver can only join SCO.
RFR
Massachusetts will award separate contracts for One Care and SCO but may prefer bids from plans seeking to operate both; however, plans may submit bids to operate one type of plan. The state seeks to offer both One Care and SCO coverage for eligible individuals in as many counties as possible, and ideally statewide. Plans must propose to cover people in at least six counties for each type of plan.
To be selected, plans will need to have a contract with CMS to operate a FIDE SNP in Massachusetts in 2026. Applications must be submitted to CMS by February 2025.
Timeline
Letters of intent are due February 15, 2024, and the deadline for responses is March 22, 2024. Plans will be selected by November 1, 2024. Implementation is set to begin January 1, 2026. Contracts will run an initial five-year term through December 31, 2030. Contracts may be renewed for up to five years in any increment.
Current Market
Commonwealth Care Alliance, Tufts, and UnitedHealthcare serve 43,000 One Care members.
SCO incumbents WellSense Senior Care Options (formerly BMC Healthnet), Commonwealth Care Alliance, Fallon Health, Molina/Senior Whole Health, Tufts, and UnitedHealthcare serve 77,000 members.