Seattle – Qualis Health announced that the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare has renewed its contract with the organization to continue providing utilization management, nurse case management, and specialty review services. Qualis Health, a Seattle-based nonprofit healthcare quality improvement organization, will hold a two-year contract with the Department in which it will collaborate with providers offering services to 174,000 Idaho residents eligible for Medicaid.

Over the course of carrying out the contract, Qualis Health will supply care management services to Medicaid patients with catastrophic and severe chronic illnesses, including medical review of requested services and coordination of care. The services are used by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare to help evaluate and improve the quality and value of healthcare provided to clients in the Idaho Medicaid program.

Qualis Health has had an office in Boise since 1986 and has held the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) contract with Idaho Medicaid since 1989. Accredited by URAC in health utilization management, case management, and independent review, Qualis Health has consistently demonstrated high quality in the delivery of all care management services. Qualis Health has served Medicaid agencies for more than 26 years and also works with other diverse populations including Medicare, workers’ compensation, and health insurance.

“We believe that the renewal of this contract confirms the innovation and excellence of Qualis Health services,” said Jonathan Sugarman, MD, MPH, president and CEO of Qualis Health. “Because every state faces great pressure to distribute their funds in a way that delivers the highest quality care to the greatest number of people, we know that contracts are not routinely renewed.”