VCU launches the Office of Medicaid Evaluation

By Maggie Christ

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Public Health has established the Office of Medicaid Evaluation to more formally provide analysis and guidance on state and federal Medicaid programs.

The OME officially launched on July 1 this year, but VCU’s collaboration with the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services has long been extensive. Since 2016, a team of VCU researchers has worked closely with DMAS to evaluate policy and program changes in treating substance use disorder, using managed care to provide long-term services, expanding the breadth and duration of coverage for Medicaid populations, and supporting maternal and child health initiatives.

Now, the team will operate as the OME to continue its objective, nonpartisan research to inform policies that impact the nearly 1.5 million children and adults covered by Medicaid in Virginia. Establishing the OME as a formal center will help elevate its partnership with DMAS and further highlight the researchers’ focus on critical issues.

In July, Andrew Barnes, Ph.D., professor of health policy at the School of Public Health, was named director of the OME. He leads a research team of health services, economics and policy experts from across VCU, other universities and state and federal agencies.

By providing rigorous and objective analysis of state and federal Medicaid programs, the team helps policymakers address questions and issues related to health care access, quality and cost for members of Medicaid.

“With public financing for health insurance coverage programs receiving so much attention at the national level, such evidence is especially needed now to learn from experience and inform contemporary policy decisions,” Barnes said.

He added that VCU’s longstanding relationship with DMAS, which is Virginia’s Medicaid agency, as well as federal partners makes the OME well-positioned to elevate its role.

“Sitting across from the Capitol, the VCU School of Public Health is the ideal place to listen and share with our legislators and state agencies to advance our common purpose to improve the health and well-being of the commonwealth,” Barnes said.

Peter Cunningham, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of VCU’s Department of Health Policy and principal investigator of the Addiction and Recovery Treatment Services program, said establishment of the OME reflects the value of its mission.

“It is long overdue that the work we do with DMAS be given greater recognition within our school, the university as well as the state government,” he said. “We believe that elevating our work with Medicaid can continue to solidify our role as one of the go-to teams in the state for analysis and evaluation of state health policies.”

This story was originally published on the School of Public Health’s website.