title: Evaluation of mandated memoranda of understanding between local health departments and Medicaid managed care plans.
abstract: The success of mandating memoranda of understanding (MOU) in promoting collaboration between Medicaid managed care (MCMC) plans and local health departments (LHDs) was examined in this research project. The mandate resulted in MOUs that contributed to increases in collaborative activities, increased perceived quality of health care, and successful management of reimbursement to LHDs. Factors associated with success included a local initiative type of health plan, longer length of time that the MOUs were in place, and higher interorganizational collaborativeness. Concerns related to the MOU approval process and lack of contribution of the MOUs to quality of public health services were identified. MOUs promote collaborative relationships between MCMC plans and LHDs on health care issues important to both sectors.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
authors.forename: Susan J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Zahner
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008484:Medicaid / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States