Message from Karen Love, President, Cook Children's Health Plan

RE: Texas Tribune article

Dear Cook Children’s Health Plan Employees:

As you know, we received disappointing news last month regarding HHSC’s decision to exclude Cook Children's Health Plan (CCHP) from the new STAR/CHIP Managed Care Contract. This decision was just one step in a long process; the battle is just beginning. Still, I know that was tough to hear, and I’m grateful for your commitment and resiliency these last few weeks.

I want to express our sincere gratitude for your dedication and hard work over the past 20 years. Thanks to your efforts, CCHP has provided exceptional service to hundreds of thousands of families, and these are facts HHSC did not take into account when awarding new contracts.

This article published in The Texas Tribune this week, so I wanted you to have the latest information:

• Update on our protest: We are actively appealing the decision. We filed a formal protest last month. We believe we have a strong case to make as the state's scoring process lacked transparency and unfairly disadvantaged regional, non-profit community plans like ours. If our protest is not successful, we will be filing a formal appeal, and taking further legal steps to overturn this situation.
• Keeping our Promise: We are committed to our Promise and will be fighting for our 125,000 CCHP Members, including over 8,000 medically complex children who could be negatively affected by this disruption.  We will use all the tools available to us to protect these children and all our Members.
• Commitment to Members and you: In the meantime, nothing changes for our Members or you. CCHP STAR/CHIP Member coverage remains active for at least the next 1.5 years and STAR Kids Member coverage beyond that. We'll continue providing uninterrupted care and access through Cook Children's hospitals and clinics and other network providers. We have developed a few talking points you can use with Members if you receive phone calls or emails. They are here.
• Transparency and openness with you: We'll keep you updated on the appeal process and any future developments.

We understand this situation is not ideal, but we are confident in our appeal and remain committed to serving our Members, and taking care of all of you.  We appreciate your continued dedication and support as we navigate through this process.

Have a great week!

Karen