Medicaid Who’s Who: Sarah Matousek – Senior Consultant with Day Health Strategies
1. Which segment of the industry are you currently involved?
A: Day Health Strategies provides experience-based, cost-effective consulting services to private and public organizations that are focusing on strategic opportunities stemming from health reform, health sector transformation, and the emerging benefits marketplace. Right now and for the past year, I have been immersed in designing and implementing a Medicaid Accountable Care Organization in Massachusetts. As part of that project, I have assisted in the creation of a governance structure, developed the model of care, completed regulatory compliance submissions, and assisted with investment planning and project management.
2. How many years have you been in the Medicaid industry?
A: I have been working in the Medicaid industry for three years.
3. What is your focus/passion? (Industry related or not)
A: I am passionate about finding ways to improve the way we deliver healthcare and pay for it so that people are healthier, and businesses can thrive.
4. What is the top item on your “bucket list?”
A: I would love to hike Machu Picchu in Peru!
5. What do you enjoy doing most with your personal time?
A: I enjoy traveling, hiking, exploring, and being in the mountains.
6. Who is your favorite historical figure and why?
A: My favorite historical figure is Marie Curie because she was a bold early look at how powerful women could be in science. She was the first woman to win a Nobel prize and was a real pioneer.
7. What is your favorite junk food?
A: I really like Almond Joy and generally anything with coconut.
8. Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
A: I am most proud of launching a sustainable program to bring surgical care to rural Haiti.
9. For what one thing do you wish you could get a mulligan?
A: I would have left basic science research sooner to move into the public health work that I am doing now because that is where my real passion lies.
10. What are the top 1-3 issues that you think will be important in Medicaid during the next 6 months?
A:
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- The approval (or disapproval) of the pending 1115 Medicaid State Waivers is a key issue to watch in the next 6 months.
- Mandates coming down from CMS is another area that may be important in the next 6 months.
- There are many states that have innovative programs in process that are driving change. Over the next 6 months, it is important that these Medicaid programs continue to push forward despite any uncertainty that is coming from the federal government. Currently, we are seeing a great deal of federalism and states have a tremendous opportunity to take the reign. However, state Medicaid programs need to identify and mitigate the many risks that come with that autonomy.