Preston Cody is the featured panelist for the upcoming Washington State Medicaid Spotlight Webinar on Monday, August 7th. RESERVE your seat today!
Medicaid Who’s Who: Preston Cody – Division Director, Division of Medicaid Program Operations and Integrity, Washington State
1. What segment of the industry are you currently involved?
A: Medicaid Program Integrity, Medicaid Managed Care, value-based payment, network adequacy, physical/behavioral health integration, mental health parity, Medicaid Administrative Claiming, Non-emergency Medical Transportation, Interpreter Services, and other activities related to Medicaid Program operations.
2. What is your current position and with what organization?
A: Division Director, Division of Medicaid Program Operations and Integrity, Washington State Health Care Authority (the single state Medicaid agency in WA)
3. How many years have you been in the Medicaid industry?
A: 20+
4. What is your focus/passion? (Industry related or not)
A: I’m passionate about ensuring the clients we serve receive the best care possible and those staff who serve clients on a daily basis get the direction, tools and support to do their jobs effectively with a high-level of satisfaction. As a veteran I serve as the executive sponsor for the agencies Veterans Employee Resource Group which focuses on recruiting, retaining and supporting our veteran employees. I find this an extremely rewarding process.
5. What is the top item on your “bucket list?”
A: Simply to live each day to the fullest and enjoy the journey.
6. What do you enjoy doing most with your personal time?
A: On a personal note, I am happily married and have five children and two grandchildren who I love spending time with. My family and I love to camp, boat and ride ATV’s on the Pacific Northwest coast, it’s an amazing place to live! However, during football season we switch gears to watch our beloved Seattle Seahawks. Go Hawks! Work-life balance is critically important and something we encourage staff to focus on in our agency.
7. What is your favorite junk food?
A: Any type of Mexican food, it’s all amazing!
8. Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
A: Effectively transition the WA State subsidized Basic Health program to Medicaid coverage under the ACA effective 1/1/2014.
9. For what one thing do you wish you could get a mulligan?
A: Great question. Years ago our organization was directed by our state Legislature to immediately terminate coverage for a large group of clients with less than 1 day notice. We complied with the requirement which was immediately challenged and was ultimately settled years later. If I had the opportunity for a do over I would have done a better job describing the impact and delaying implementation which would have accomplished the same outcome with far less disruption and ensured clients received timely due process.
10. What are the top 1-3 issues that you think will be important in Medicaid during the next 6 months?
A: 1. Ensuring there is no erosion of coverage resulting in a decrease in population health, increased uncompensated care and massive disruption in the health care system.
2. Effective implementation of behavioral and physical health integration in WA Medicaid.
3. Completion of the first year of value-based payment requirements with our managed care organizations.
Preston Cody is the featured panelist for the upcoming Washington State Medicaid Spotlight Webinar on Monday, August 7th. RESERVE your seat today!