The Department of Community Health asked six consulting firms – Accenture, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, McKinsey & Company, and Public Consulting Group – to submit proposals for developing federal healthcare waivers for Georgia’s Medicaid program and private health insurance marketplace after passage of Senate Bill 106, Governor Kemp’s Patients First Act.

Each firm must submit a Letter of Intent by May 10, 2019 and be prepared to provide complete proposals by May 20, 2019.

“By leveraging the private sector to develop waivers, Georgia will lead the way in healthcare innovation – focusing on lowering costs, improving access, protecting those with preexisting conditions, and increasing quality of care in every region of our state. As we move into the next phase of this process, we will continue to work closely with federal officials to develop the best options for Georgia patients and families,” said Governor Kemp.

Once state officials pick a consulting firm, they will work with the firm to develop waivers under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act and 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Ultimately, officials plan on submitting waivers to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and U.S. Department of Treasury by year’s end.

In the fall of 2018 through traditional state procurement, the Department of Administrative Services signed a master services agreement with multiple consulting firms in four key areas: human resources, operations, procurement, and strategic planning. This agreement allows state agencies to contract for consulting services from a pool of qualified vendors. The Department of Community Health has limited the pool of potential consulting firms for healthcare waivers based, in part, on whether the firms have previously developed waivers in other states.

“My staff reviewed our options and identified firms with existing expertise and experience in federal healthcare waiver development. We are asking six consulting firms to explain how they will approach this project and why they have the best team. Each step of the way, we will keep the public informed, ensure that our operations comply with state law and rules, and seek input from our constituents,” said Department of Community Health Commissioner Frank Berry.