Passport Health Plan not selected for Kentucky Medicaid managed care contract

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Passport Health Plan has been notified by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services that Passport has not been awarded a Kentucky Medicaid managed care contract for the next contract period. Passport will continue to provide services to its Medicaid membership throughout the existing contract term, expiring June 30, 2020, with no changes to member benefits during that time period.

Passport responded to the commonwealth’s request for proposals for Medicaid managed care organizations in July 2019 as part of the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services contracting cycle.

“We are deeply disappointed in this decision, having been a committed partner to the state and an organization that has been dedicated to improving Kentuckians’ health and wellbeing for more than 20 years, with demonstrable results,” said Passport CEO Scott Bowers. “We intend to protest the state’s decision with the goal of continuing to provide Medicaid benefits and improve the health and quality of life of our members throughout the commonwealth.”

On May 29, 2019, Passport and its partner, Evolent Health, announced plans for Evolent to acquire a 70 percent ownership interest in Passport Health Plan. The remaining 30 percent ownership interest will be held by Passport’s existing provider sponsors, including the University of Louisville. The acquisition is still expected to close by the end of this year.

“Obviously, we are disappointed in the decision not to award Passport a new Medicaid managed care contract,” said University of Louisville’s Director of Media Relations John R. Karman III. “UofL is proud of its longstanding relationship with Passport and supports its decision to challenge the outcome of the evaluation and award process for this contract.”