Evaluating Medicaid Managed Care Programs for Children

Nearly every state has implemented some form of managed care for Medicaid recipients, partly in response to rapid increases in Medicaid expenditures. The unique features of children's health and the differences among states in the implementation and scope of their Medicaid managed care programs provide child health services researchers many opportunities to identify program features that result in favorable health outcomes and those that are less successful. Key stakeholders with interest in this information include state governments and managed care organizations charged with developing and implementing efficient delivery systems, as well as providers interested in understanding the best mechanisms for delivering care to children. This paper outlines potential approaches to evaluating Medicaid managed care programs for children, focusing on identification of appropriate data sources and selection of quality measures encompassing the structure, processes, and outcomes of health care.