{"@attributes":{"version":"2.0"},"channel":{"title":"Blog","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog","description":"Acentra Health is a leader in the healthcare industry. Read our articles to keep up with what's been going on in the industry.","language":"en","pubDate":"Thu, 16 Apr 2026 20:58:58 GMT","item":[{"title":"The Unified Truth in Medicaid Data Management","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/the-unified-truth-in-medicaid-data-management","description":"
\n \"The <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Ryan Bosch, MD, FACP, Chief Health & Informatics Officer<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong> <\/span><\/p> \n

As state Medicaid agencies adopt modular, specialized systems to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements, they gain flexibility but lose a single, unified view of their data. Each module stores and organizes data in its own way, which makes it efficient for generating reports from that specific system, but harder to combine and use data across systems.  <\/p>","category":["Blog","Thought Leadership"],"pubDate":"Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:35:49 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/the-unified-truth-in-medicaid-data-management"},{"title":"State HIT Connect 2026: Aligning Policy, Technology, and Transformation","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/state-hit-connect-2026-aligning-policy-technology-and-transformation","description":"

\n \"State <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

Acentra Health returned from the 16th<\/sup> Annual State Healthcare IT Connect Summit energized by the urgency and scale of change facing Medicaid and Health and Human Services (HHS) leaders nationwide. Held February 24\u201326, 2026, in New Orleans, the well-attended conference brought together state and federal leaders, technologists, and industry partners at a pivotal time for health IT transformation.<\/p> \n

Across sessions and conversations, several themes consistently surfaced: Artificial Intelligence (AI), rural health transformation, community engagement requirements under H.R. 1<\/a>, interoperability, and the operational impact of sweeping federal policy changes.<\/p> \n

At its core, this year\u2019s Summit reinforced a simple reality: policy change and technology modernization are no longer separate efforts; they must move forward together.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:22:49 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/state-hit-connect-2026-aligning-policy-technology-and-transformation"},{"title":"NAMD 2025 Highlights: Medicaid Challenges, Changes & Innovation","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/namd-2025-insights","description":"

\n \"NAMD <\/a> \n<\/div> \n
Reflections from the National Association of Medicaid Directors 2025 Conference: Challenges, Changes, and Opportunities<\/h5> \n

Acentra Health returned from NAMD 2025 energized by the dedication of our nation\u2019s Medicaid Directors and their teams. The conference, held November 18-21 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland, was the largest to date, giving us the opportunity to speak with many Directors. In a nutshell, here\u2019s what we heard: the challenges<\/strong> brought on by market constraints will force them to change<\/strong> how they operate, giving them opportunities<\/strong> to do new things.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Wed, 26 Nov 2025 20:17:54 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/namd-2025-insights"},{"title":"Response to Industry Commitments on Improving Prior Authorization","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/prior-authorization-collaboration","description":"

\n \"Response <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Susan Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Health Solutions<\/a>  <\/span> <\/span><\/p> \n

Acentra Health applauds the steps taken by private health insurance leaders, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) leadership to collaborate on accelerating care decisions and enhancing transparency around the prior authorization (PA) process<\/a>. As this process with private insurers moves forward, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to this national discussion with our perspectives and highlight the work we are doing on behalf of our clients.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:54:42 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/prior-authorization-collaboration"},{"title":"Meet the Power Trio Transforming Government Healthcare Technology Innovation","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/meet-the-power-trio-transforming-government-healthcare-technology-innovation","description":"

\n \"Acentra <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

At Acentra Health, innovation isn\u2019t just a buzzword \u2014 it\u2019s a commitment to driving real change in how government healthcare programs serve the American public. Three of our executive leaders are being recognized by WashingtonExec for their pioneering work in government healthcare technology innovation.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Thu, 12 Jun 2025 18:24:05 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/meet-the-power-trio-transforming-government-healthcare-technology-innovation"},{"title":"Closing the Carceral Care Divide: State Leaders Share 5 Critical Insights","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/closing-the-carceral-care-divide-state-leaders-share-5-critical-insights","description":"

\n \"Top <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Susan Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Health Solutions<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/p> \n

Incarcerated individuals often leave prison with complex health needs and little support waiting for them outside. Medicaid\u2019s Section 1115 reentry waivers offer a chance to change that, but translating policy into impact takes more than paperwork. It requires strategic design, on-the-ground knowledge, and systems that don\u2019t fall apart after the pilot phase.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Thu, 29 May 2025 17:46:31 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/closing-the-carceral-care-divide-state-leaders-share-5-critical-insights"},{"title":"Beyond Certification: How Utah and Acentra Health Are Redefining Trust and Accountability in Medicaid Modernization","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/beyond-certification-how-utah-and-acentra-health-are-redefining-trust-and-accountability-in-medicaid-modernization","description":"

\n \"Utah's <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

Across the country, Medicaid programs face growing demands for greater agility, stronger compliance, and better overall experience for the people they serve. In this environment, the state of Utah has emerged as a blueprint for what is possible when vision, technology, and strategic partnership align.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Thu, 08 May 2025 12:51:50 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/beyond-certification-how-utah-and-acentra-health-are-redefining-trust-and-accountability-in-medicaid-modernization"},{"title":"Bridging the Gap: Three Ways to Prepare for the 2025 Mandate to Support Justice-Involved Youth - Acentra Health","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/bridging-the-gap-three-ways-to-prepare-for-the-2025-mandate-to-support-justice-involved-youth","description":"

\n \"Bridging <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Susan Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Health Solutions<\/span><\/a><\/p> \n

Youth transitioning out of residential facilities face numerous challenges, including inadequate healthcare and social support. Justice-involved youth (JIY) are at high risk for poor health outcomes, recidivism, and struggles with reintegration into society. In recognition of these needs, the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2022<\/a> mandated that states receiving Medicaid funding must provide health and social risk assessments to JIY 30 days before and post-release. With a compliance deadline looming at the start of 2025, state agencies must act quickly and proactively to establish systems that meet these requirements.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Fri, 06 Dec 2024 05:45:00 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/bridging-the-gap-three-ways-to-prepare-for-the-2025-mandate-to-support-justice-involved-youth"},{"title":"Preparing for Medicaid Policy Updates","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/preparing-for-medicaid-policy-changes","description":"

\n \"Preparing <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Verlon Johnson, Chief Government & Corporate Affairs Officer<\/span><\/a><\/p> \n

As always, Medicaid policy is shifting in ways that will profoundly impact state programs over the next few years. These mandates fall into four primary areas of focus: Justice-Involved Youth Services, Prior Authorization (PA) Modernization, Critical Incident Reporting, and Health Equity initiatives. Each mandate can significantly shape state Medicaid programs, and it is essential for Medicaid directors and state agencies to be vigilant and proactive in their preparations.<\/p>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:45:00 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/preparing-for-medicaid-policy-changes"},{"title":"Guide: A Client-First Approach to Enhance the Medicaid Member Experience","link":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/client-first-approach-to-improving-medicaid-members-experience","description":"

\n \"Guide: <\/a> \n<\/div> \n

By <\/span>Susan Baker, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Integrated Health Solutions<\/a><\/em> <\/p> \n

In today\u2019s digital age, enhancing the client experience is key for any organization. It\u2019s especially important in public health.
<\/a><\/h3>","category":"Blog","pubDate":"Thu, 24 Oct 2024 04:00:00 GMT","guid":"https:\/\/acentra.com\/blog\/client-first-approach-to-improving-medicaid-members-experience"}]}}