PRE-CAPTURE INTELLIGENCE
See the market move
before the RFP drops.
Verified procurement signals, plan movement, decision-maker priorities, and positioning implications across Medicaid managed care.
How to read this briefing
Every factual item links to its source. Precapture analysis is labeled separately. Heat reflects verified activity, not a prediction of award outcome.
NATIONAL MARKET VIEW
Where Medicaid markets are moving
Select a state to focus the intelligence feed. Heat reflects verified procurement, award, transition, and portfolio activity—not a prediction of award outcome.
No current signalHeat 1Heat 2Heat 3Heat 4Heat 5
States and markets
All 50 states and the District of ColumbiaArizonaHeat 5IllinoisHeat 5IndianaHeat 5LouisianaHeat 5ArkansasHeat 4District of ColumbiaHeat 4FloridaHeat 4IdahoHeat 4TexasHeat 4MichiganHeat 3OregonHeat 3WisconsinHeat 3CaliforniaHeat 2North CarolinaHeat 2AlabamaWatchAlaskaWatchColoradoWatchConnecticutWatchDelawareWatchGeorgiaWatchHawaiiWatchIowaWatchKansasWatchKentuckyWatchMaineWatchMarylandWatchMassachusettsWatchMinnesotaWatchMississippiWatchMissouriWatchMontanaWatchNebraskaWatchNevadaWatchNew HampshireWatchNew JerseyWatchNew MexicoWatchNew YorkWatchNorth DakotaWatchOhioWatchOklahomaWatchPennsylvaniaWatchRhode IslandWatchSouth CarolinaWatchSouth DakotaWatchTennesseeWatchUtahWatchVermontWatchVirginiaWatchWashingtonWatchWest VirginiaWatchWyomingWatch
24-MONTH VIEW
Procurement radar
Current verified state briefs, ordered by market heat.
ArizonaHeat 5
Oral presentations scheduled October 26–November 10, 2026; contract award planned for January 2027
ALTCS E/PD · evaluationIllinoisHeat 5
New contract implementation January 1, 2027
HealthChoice Illinois · award announcedIndianaHeat 5
Addendum 1 and bidder Q&A posted October 1; RFP 27-88343 proposals due November 6, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET
HIP / PathWays / Hoosier Care Connect / Hoosier Healthwise · active RFPArkansasHeat 4
Open enrollment October 15–December 15, 2026 for Centene members moving to Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage
ARHOME expansion coverage · market exit and transitionDistrict of ColumbiaHeat 4
Elevance transition and continuity planning
DC Medicaid managed care · market exitFloridaHeat 4
Molina assumes statewide CMS Plan operations October 1, 2026
Children's Medical Services Health Plan · transitionIdahoHeat 4
Procurement blackout begins December 1, 2026
Comprehensive Medicaid managed care · pre-RFP shapingLouisianaHeat 5
Healthy Blue notices by October 1; plan selection October 15–November 16, 2026
Healthy Louisiana · market exit and transitionTexasHeat 4
Solicitation forecast for Q1 SFY 2027
Medicaid and CHIP Dental Services · imminent procurementMichiganHeat 3
Statewide HIDE-SNP expansion planned for 2027
MI Coordinated Health · duals expansionOregonHeat 3
RFP release reported for fall 2027
Coordinated Care Organizations · forecastWisconsinHeat 3
New and expanding plan execution in regions 2 and 7
Family Care / Family Care Partnership · implementationCaliforniaHeat 2
Next procurement no sooner than 2029
Medi-Cal commercial managed care · procurement delayedNorth CarolinaHeat 2
Procurement watch; state directs vendors to official IPS
NC Medicaid Managed Care · watchVERIFIED FEED
Market movement
Aetna expands bundled oncology prior authorization across eligible Medicaid markets
CVS Health says Aetna expanded bundled prior authorization across all cancer types for eligible Medicaid members whose providers use the Eviti portal in Oklahoma, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Kentucky and West Virginia. Aetna reports an effective date of September 1; Healthcare Dive reported availability beginning September 2. Both sources describe combined oncology, radiation and related imaging requests and approximately one-quarter initial uptake.
Precapture analysisThe program gives Aetna a concrete provider-burden and access proof point in active Illinois and Florida markets, but procurement evaluators should distinguish the announced workflow from independently validated turnaround-time, denial and treatment-start outcomes.
Texas identifies RFP HHS0017108 for its Q1 SFY 2027 Medicaid dental procurement
HHSC’s procurement forecast, updated September 18, identifies RFP HHS0017108 for statewide Medicaid and CHIP managed-care dental services and retains a Q1 SFY 2027 estimated posting date. HHSC’s managed-care timeline anticipates award in Q4 SFY 2027 and operations in Q4 SFY 2028.
Precapture analysisDental is the clearest near-term Texas opening while STAR/CHIP and STAR Kids award schedules remain important watch points.
California postpones commercial Medi-Cal plan procurement until at least 2029
DHCS says the next competitive commercial Medi-Cal managed-care procurement will begin no sooner than 2029, with new contracts effective no sooner than 2031; current plan contracts have been extended through December 31, 2026.
Precapture analysisIncumbents gain runway while challengers should shift near-term positioning toward CalAIM execution, partnerships and annual-renewal performance.
Louisiana advances financing and continuity plan for Healthy Blue exit
Louisiana LDH says Healthy Blue's Medicaid managed-care contract will end December 31, 2026, affecting more than 290,000 members. Members may select Aetna Better Health, AmeriHealth Caritas Louisiana, Humana Healthy Horizons or Louisiana Healthcare Connections from October 15 through November 16; members who do not choose will be assigned before January 1, 2027. On September 17, LDH presented proposed 2027 contract extensions under which the four remaining plans would collectively receive $16.1 billion, subject to legislative approval. The state said plan performance may influence some automatic assignments and receiving plans must honor previously authorized services and prescriptions for the first 60 days of 2027.
Precapture analysisThe transition now has explicit financing, continuity and performance-based enrollment stakes. The four remaining plans gain membership opportunity but face near-term network-matching, authorization, pharmacy, member-service and auto-assignment execution exposure; stronger measured performance may also affect enrollment allocation.
CMS reports 73.5 million Medicaid and CHIP enrollees for May 2026
CMS reported 66,388,522 Medicaid enrollees and 7,137,750 CHIP enrollees across reporting states and DC for May 2026.
Precapture analysisCurrent state-level enrollment should anchor market-size estimates and transition capacity assumptions rather than stale annual totals.
Idaho sets December 1 blackout before comprehensive managed-care RFP
Idaho DHW and Idaho Capital Sun report that the comprehensive managed-care transition is delayed to 2030 and that a procurement blackout begins December 1, 2026. DHW separately says it expects the RFP later in 2027.
Precapture analysisThe remaining pre-blackout period is a defined market-shaping window for Idaho-specific rural access, workforce, LTSS, claims-readiness and provider-experience evidence.
Elevance agrees to exit the District's Medicaid market
Elevance leadership said the company mutually agreed with the District to exit DC Medicaid and expects additional targeted exits over 12–18 months where it does not see a path to sustainable performance.
Precapture analysisCompetitors should distinguish broad Medicaid commitment from state-level portfolio discipline and watch for continuity, rebid and replacement opportunities in marginal markets.
Arkansas sets enrollment path for Centene's ARHOME exit
Arkansas DHS says Centene, also known in the market as Ambetter, QCA and QualChoice, will leave ARHOME at the end of 2026. Affected members may select an Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield plan from October 15 through December 15, 2026; members who do not select a plan will be automatically placed into a Blue Cross plan without a coverage lapse and will have 30 days to change that assignment.
Precapture analysisThe exit now has a defined member-transition window. Enrollment communications, automatic assignment, continuity and Blue Cross readiness are the immediate execution tests.
Arizona posts official list of ALTCS E/PD offers received
AHCCCS's official YH27-0001 bidders’ library posted a List of Offers Received, as verified September 26. Solicitation Amendment 3, dated September 9, had replaced Exhibit F2 for contract citations and past-performance submissions, incorporated a second round of answers, and required a signed amendment with each response. Proposals were due September 24, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Arizona time. The official schedule sets oral presentations for October 26 through November 10, with contract award planned for January 2027 and contract operations beginning October 1, 2027.
Precapture analysisThe posted offeror list confirms that the competition has moved into evaluation. The next scheduled checkpoints are oral presentations and the planned January award.
Pennsylvania’s updated Community HealthChoices waiver takes effect
Pennsylvania and the Rehabilitation & Community Providers Association report that CMS approved the Community HealthChoices Section 1915(c) waiver amendment effective July 1, 2026.
Precapture analysisCHC contractors must align HCBS oversight, participant protections, authorizations and grievance operations with the renewed authorities and agreement.
Illinois selects six HealthChoice plans and adds Humana
Illinois announced intended HealthChoice awards to Centene, Molina, CVS/Aetna, HCSC, CountyCare and Humana. Humana is a new HealthChoice participant; implementation is scheduled for January 1, 2027.
Precapture analysisThe entrant increases enrollment-allocation pressure while emphasizing social determinants, care coordination and behavioral health in the next operating cycle.
Centene reorganizes leadership around Medicaid and local-market execution
Centene announced Daniel Finke and Michael Carson as group presidents in a structure separating Medicaid/Marketplace responsibilities from Medicare/Specialty responsibilities. Centene's April announcement called Finke Group President, Markets and Commercial; a May SEC filing described the role as Group President, Medicaid and Marketplace.
Precapture analysisThe structure sharpens Medicaid and local-market accountability while importing senior Aetna operating experience.
Louisiana closes UnitedHealthcare Medicaid contract and reassigns members
Louisiana closed UnitedHealthcare’s Medicaid contract on March 31, 2026 and reassigned nearly 280,000 members among remaining Healthy Louisiana plans.
Precapture analysisThe exit creates an immediate share and service-transition opportunity for remaining plans while placing continuity and member-transfer execution under scrutiny.
Wisconsin begins enrollment for new and expanding Family Care plans
After a procurement protest was withdrawn, Wisconsin moved forward with Family Care and Partnership awards in regions 2 and 7. Anthem entered Family Care in both regions, while Inclusa, iCare and Molina/My Choice Wisconsin expanded in specified markets.
Precapture analysisCompetition has shifted from award to network, certification, member-choice and transition execution.
Indiana unified Medicaid managed-care procurement remains active
Indiana IDOA RFP 27-88343 combines HIP, Hoosier Healthwise, Hoosier Care Connect and PathWays for Aging in one procurement. Official bid materials and the Indiana State Medical Association report that proposals are due November 6, 2026.
Precapture analysisThe active unified procurement requires coordinated readiness across all four programs. Bidders should reconcile official amendments and Q&A directly from the IDOA bid package while preserving the November 6 submission path.
CMS updates state-directed payment policy under Public Law 119-21
CMS released preliminary guidance reducing payment limits for specified state-directed payments and describing temporary grandfathering for certain arrangements across all states and DC.
Precapture analysisPlans and states face renewed rate-development and provider-financing complexity; procurement models should stress-test directed-payment assumptions and implementation timing.
MACPAC documented procurement-capacity and policy-goal challenges in 2022
In April 2022, MACPAC reported that states use managed-care purchasing to advance program goals while complex procurements can strain staff responsible for ongoing operations. This is archival context, not a newly occurring 2026 event.
Precapture analysisCredible bids should reduce state implementation burden and show measurable alignment to policy goals, not only offer program features.
South Carolina adds member populations to managed care for medical services
SCDHHS moved medical services for additional Healthy Connections members into managed care effective January 1, 2026, while waiver services remain fee-for-service.
Precapture analysisPlans need strong managed-care/waiver coordination, transition, authorization, encounter and provider-communication capabilities.
CareSource begins statewide Nevada Medicaid operations
CareSource began operating Nevada Medicaid statewide on January 1, 2026, including rural counties and Clark and Washoe counties.
Precapture analysisNevada gives CareSource a western beachhead and intensifies competition with four national plans in the statewide model.
Florida sets eight-month continuity protection for October 1 CMS Plan transition to Molina
Florida AHCA confirms that Molina Healthcare of Florida will assume statewide Children's Medical Services Plan operations from Sunshine Health on October 1, 2026. In a September 25 provider alert, AHCA said Molina's continuity-of-care period may extend through May 31, 2027: services authorized by Sunshine and documented courses of treatment in effect on October 1 remain covered until the authorization, treatment course or continuity period ends, or a new care plan and services are authorized, whichever occurs first. Members may continue seeing current providers during that period, and Molina must reimburse non-participating providers at their prior rate unless an alternative rate is agreed.
Precapture analysisThe eight-month protection materially lowers immediate disruption risk but creates a measurable transition test for Molina across authorization migration, out-of-network reimbursement, care-plan conversion, provider support and complaint resolution for medically complex children.
EVIDENCE
Source ledger
Every displayed fact links to its source.
USAetna expands oncology prior authorization bundlesPrimary source
USCVS Aetna streamlines cancer prior authorizationsCorroborating source
TXTexas HHS Procurement Forecast — updated September 18, 2026Primary source
TXTexas HHSC Procurement OpportunitiesPrimary source
CAMedi-Cal Commercial Managed Care Plan Procurement UpdatePrimary source
CAMedi-Cal Managed Care Boilerplate ContractsPrimary source
LALouisiana Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget meeting file — September 17, 2026Primary source
LAMedicaid exits mean Louisiana will pay remaining plans moreCorroborating source
USMay 2026 Medicaid & CHIP Enrollment Data HighlightsPrimary source
IDThe Future of Idaho Medicaid is Managed CarePrimary source
IDIdaho lawmakers hope to ensure timely doctor payments, treatment approvals in Medicaid transitionCorroborating source
DCElevance Health 2026 Q2 Earnings CallPrimary source
ARMedicaid Managed Care: The Big Five in Q2 2026Corroborating source
ARArkansas DHS ARHOME Open EnrollmentPrimary source
AZAHCCCS YH27-0001 ALTCS E/PD Bidders’ LibraryPrimary source
AZAHCCCS YH27-0001 Solicitation Amendment 3Primary source
PACommunity HealthChoices Supporting DocumentsPrimary source
PACMS Approves CHC Waiver AmendmentCorroborating source
ILIllinois HFS procurementPrimary source
ILIllinois awards new Medicaid contractsCorroborating source
USCentene Announces New Executive Leadership StructurePrimary source
USCentene Corporation Form 8-K, May 12, 2026Primary source
LALouisiana LDH UnitedHealthcare closeoutPrimary source
LAUnitedHealth Group Q2 2026 resultsPrimary source
WIWisconsin Family Care Request for ProposalPrimary source
WIFamily Care, Family Care Partnership, and PACE: What’s NewPrimary source
INIndiana solicits RFP for managed care—expected to be $68 billion valueCorroborating source
USState Directed PaymentsPrimary source
USNew CMS Guidance on H.R. 1’s Restrictions of State Directed PaymentsCorroborating source
USApril 2022 Public MeetingPrimary source
SCSouth Carolina Health & Managed Care PlansPrimary source
SCSelect Health provider alert — Medicaid carve-in for waiver and nursing-facility populationsCorroborating source
NVCareSource awarded Nevada Medicaid managed care contractPrimary source
NVNevada Medicaid MCO informationPrimary source
FLFlorida AHCA CMS Plan TransitionPrimary source