Article Summary –
Montana’s state Medicaid Director, Mike Randol, has resigned from his position to take a job in the private sector. During his tenure, Randol oversaw the application for a Medicaid program waiver expansion that created new reimbursement opportunities for substance use disorder treatments and services, and implemented significant increases to many Medicaid reimbursement rates across various health sectors. However, his term also included challenges such as staffing shortages at the Montana State Hospital and over 120,000 Montanans losing Medicaid coverage due to mass-eligibility reviews.
Montana’s Top Medicaid Official Resigns
Montana’s top Medicaid official, Mike Randol, has resigned his position in the state health department, an agency spokesperson revealed. Randol will be leaving his role as state Medicaid director to pursue a job in the private sector. The resignation, accepted on April 23, will take effect on May 10.
“Mike has been instrumental in shaping Montana’s Medicaid program during his tenure at the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS),” said health department director Charlie Brereton. “We wish him all the best as he returns to Kansas City and transitions into the private sector.”
Before joining Montana’s Medicaid program, Randol was employed at Cerner Corp., a health technology firm, and had overseen Medicaid programs in Iowa and Kansas. Further information on Randol’s new private sector job was not available from the department.
Since Governor Greg Gianforte’s inauguration in 2021, Montana’s largest agency has experienced considerable changes in its top leadership. Erica Johnston, Human Services Executive Director, and Chief Healthcare Facilities Officer Will Evo, both left their positions, along with others.
Under Randol’s leadership, the department achieved a Medicaid program waiver expansion, creating new reimbursement opportunities for substance use disorder treatments – a key objective of the Gianforte administration. However, the department also faced significant challenges, including staffing shortages at the Montana State Hospital and the loss of Medicaid coverage for over 120,000 Montanans during mass-eligibility reviews.
Rebecca de Camara, the current administrator of the Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Division, has been appointed as the acting Medicaid director effective May 13. Meanwhile, the Healthcare Facilities Division, which includes the Montana State Hospital, will report directly to Brereton. The department will also consider both internal candidates and launch a search nationally for a new Medicaid director.
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In other news, the Environmental Protection Agency has finalized rules aimed at reducing pollution from power plants, which could potentially impact Montana’s coal mines and their power plants.
Additionally, western Montana is facing road strain due to population growth and tourism, leaving state and local governments grappling with maintenance and improvements on a limited budget.
Finally, Montana schools are dealing with budget shortfalls, with possible cuts to staff and resources. Local officials are using these financial challenges to appeal for more taxpayer support as voting begins in the upcoming school elections.
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