Laura Leistra Email & Phone Number

Topeka, Kansas, United States

Manages provider contracts to meet program outcomes. Assist with vendor negotiations, perform oversight of vendor compliance and propose changes based upon utilization trends and population requirements. Provide oversight of implementation of contracts. Enforces vendor performance guarantees. Serves as liaison between KDHE and third party providers (managed care plans, payment providers, etc.).Leads and directs staff responsible for utilization of health programs of specialized Medicaid populations. Interpret data for purposes of providing required services, improving services, controlling costs, meeting Federal and State guidelines and meeting defined outcomes.Monitors key outcomes, identifies and recommends program improvements, communicates concerns to agency leadership. Monitors CMS, Legislative, leadership, provider and member inquiries regarding KanCare. Ensure that program guidelines are followed by the MCOs.Participates in inter- and intra- agency project teams. Attends meetings, develops and makes presentations to staff, advisory committees, stakeholders or other agencies as necessary.Perform other duties as assigned including serving as a member of the KDHE Disaster Response Team as needed to assure the agency's public and environmental health response is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or manmade disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Assesses and manages each assigned MCO for overall performance by monitoring and measuring key outcomes. Accomplish assessment and monitoring by examining relevant data and reports, onsite inspections, audits and periodic meetings with MCO management and staff. Evaluates and communicates the overall performance of assigned MCOs in areas of effectiveness and health outcomes quality. Conduct ongoing MCO evaluation and improvement activities designed to: monitor and measure key outcomes; identify and recommend MCO improvements; assist in communicating progress and concerns to agency leadership; and assess effects of implemented changes. Recommends improvements in each assigned MCO to achieve short-term and long-term goals that coincide with the agency’s goals, vision, and strategic plan objectives. Develop recommendations by reviewing and understanding the mission, vision, and strategic plan objectives of the agency toprovide the framework for program planning and analyses. Examine relevant data, reimbursement, and coverage issues for effectiveness, efficiency, and quality.Addresses benefit coverage and reimbursement issues by problem-solving, corrective action plans and writing policy memorandums as required. Monitor the implementation and impact of approved changes in coverage and reimbursement. Builds and maintains a working relationship with the fiscal agent, EQRO and other contractors to provide direction on coverage or reimbursement issues.Participates actively in inter- and intra-agency project teams, as assigned; attends pertinent meetings as required or that are essential to program tasks; develops and makes presentations to KHPA staff, advisory committees, and other groups as assigned; participates in, and provides, training as directed; reviews written materials to maintain current philosophy and issues related to the MCOs.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Provide leadership, guidance, and direction to eligibility and outstation staff in work locations throughout the state. Recruited, selected and hired staff according to civil service guidelines and personnel rules and regulations. Established performance expectations with each staff member and provides regular feedback on performance. Conducted regular teem meetings. Ensured necessary resources, including equipment and training, were available for team members. Developed, targeted and implemented strategies for continuous quality improvement. Developed and maintained knowledge of all medical assistance programs (both Family Medical programs and Elderly and Disabled Medical programs) as well as all medical benefit delivery methods such as traditional fee-for-service coverage and managed care. Ensured timely response to customer service inquiries. Collaborated with partners from other state agencies, private organizations and advocacy agencies to educate, inform and increase awareness of the medical assistance programs.Analyzed proposed medical assistance program policy changes by considering impact on consumers and field operations. Provided input to KDHE program managers regarding the development and modification of policy designed to meet program goals. Performed special tasks as assigned by supervisor and KDHE Senior Management.Performed other duties as assigned including serving as a member of the KDHE Disaster Response Teams needed to assure the agency's public and environmental health response is adequately staffed during and immediately following natural and/or man-made disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and/or acts of terrorism. Supervised ten (10) permanent staff as well as twelve (12) temporary staff. Provided coverage for other supervisors as required. Website development and management for DHCF Policy section.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Management, Program planning, Organizing, directing of activities, policies, compliance, budget neutrality. Analyzed administrative procedures to recommend improvements in efficiency. Management and oversight of program goals, policies, procedures, objectives, grievances and appeals within agency or regulatory guidelines and make changes to program laws and requirements as program changes. Prepared correspondence for consumers and stakeholders to ensure individuals had information about and access to a variety of social services and Medicaid program services. Ensured compliance with the agency's established HCBS program policies and procedures are being met by contracted or licensed agencies as well as by providers. Responsible for directing, organizing, administering and managing of the I/DD Program under the 1915(c) and lead for HCBS for integration of 1915(c) into 1115. Evaluated and analyzed requests, documentation (medical and nonmedical), information (internal and external) and data used in determining eligibility/ineligibility for program access and admissions to the IDD Program and documenting support for decisions; approving, denying or returning requests as needed. Interpreted federal and state regulation, policies and procedures. Developed and implemented operational protocols for program management and service delivery; directing, developing, implementing, and monitoring processes to effectively manage services, programs, and program resources. Monitored and evaluated the State Medicaid program(s) to ensure compliance regulations and policies. Performed compliance reviews, independently and as a team, and ensure that corrective action is taken to address deficiencies. Consult and advise State staff and CMS officials on complex or controversial Medicaid issues. Analyze state plan amendments, develop revisions, and make recommendations to higher graded staff, supervisor. Serve as a consultant to Branch members and other Regional Office (RO) personnel.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Ensuring policies and compliance, including ensuring budget neutrality in managing resources. Analyzed administrative procedures to recommend improvements in efficiency. Management, oversight of program goals, policies, procedures, objectives, grievances/appeals within agency or regulatory guidelines and make changes to program laws and requirements as program changes. Prepared correspondence to consumers/stakeholders to ensure individuals have information about and access to a variety of social services and Medicaid program services. Lead for HCBS for integration of 1915(c) into 1115. Directed contracted entities in assisting consumers in navigating through KDADS and Medicaid programs and processes, including identifying available resources and programs. Ensured contracted entities provide appropriate support, services, information, referral and assistance to consumers seeking access to or information about the program. Interpreted federal and state regulation, policies and procedures. Developed and implemented operational protocols for program management and service delivery; directing, developing, implementing, and monitoring processes to effectively manage services, programs, and program resources. Monitored and evaluated the State Medicaid program(s) to ensure compliance regulations and policies.Performed compliance reviews, independently and as a team, and ensure that corrective action was taken to address deficiencies. Consult and advise State staff and CMS officials on complex or controversial Medicaid issues. Analyzed state plan amendments, develop revisions, and make recommendations to higher graded staff, supervisor. Served as a consultant to Branch members and other Regional Office (RO) personnel.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Provided oversight, monitoring, and issue resolution of HCBS/Medicaid related issues. Coordinated with internal staff, intra-agency coordination, and coordination with providers/contractors. Analyzed administrative procedures for improvements in efficiency. Researched and gathered data for use by senior staff. Made and coordinated travel arrangements. Composed standard letters and recurrent reports using computer applications and web-based technologies e.g, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, and the Internet. Maintained the HCBS portion of the KDADS website. Crisis management as necessary. Inter-agency KanCare/Managed Care Implementation. Performed associated administrative tasks based upon priority with multiple, short-term deadlines. Coordinated with internal program staff, intra-agency coordination, and coordination with MCOs contractor staff. Attend formal MCO onsite and off-site reviews to include feedback and guidance on extensive documentation, report and policy submissions. Participated in regularly scheduled managed care accountability meetings. Functioned as a central point of contact for KDADS with KanCare implementation/ operations/oversight questions. Verified operation in accordance to federal managed care regulations as defined in CFR and to multiple state regulations related to KDADS programs, and in accordance to the contracts with the MCOs. Lead HCBS initiatives to address systemic program related issues such as Employment Initiatives individuals with Disability. Developed training and education tours for stakeholder communication and consumer information. Served as a KDADS representative on interagency or public workgroups such as Health Homes and MFEI. Developed HIT strategies to improve efficiency and communication. Assisted with updating waiting lists and licensing lists and preparing website content as directed. Enter data for tracking and reporting to CMS, KDADS leadership or other entities.

Topeka, Kansas Area

Provide oversight, monitoring, and issue resolution of HCBS/Medicaid related issuesCoordinate with internal staff, intra-agency coordination, and coordination with providers/contractorsAnalyze administrative procedures for improvements in efficiencyResearch and gather data for use by senior staffCalendar managementMake and coordinate travel arrangementsCompose standard letters and recurrent reports using computer applications and web-based technologies e.g, Microsoft Word, Word Perfect, and the InternetMaintenance of the HCBS portion of the KDADS websiteCrisis management as necessaryInter-agency KanCare/Managed Care ImplementationPerforms associated administrative tasks based upon priority with multiple, short-term deadlinesCoordinates with internal program staff, intra-agency coordination, and coordination with MCOs contractor staff Attend formal MCO onsite and off-site reviews to include feedback and guidance on extensive documentation, report and policy submissionsParticipates in regularly scheduled managed care accountability meetings. Function as a central point of contact for KDADS with KanCare implementation/ operations/ oversight questionsVerify operation in accordance to federal managed care regulations as defined in 42 CFR Part 430 and to multiple state regulations related to KDADS programs, and in accordance to the contracts with the MCOsLead HCBS initiatives to address systemic program related issues such as Employment Initiatives individuals with DisabilityDevelop training and education tours for stakeholder communication and consumer informationServing as a KDADS representative on interagency or public workgroups such as Health Homes and MFEIDevelop Health Information Technology strategies to improve efficiency and communicationAssist with updating waiting lists and licensing lists and preparing website content as directedEnter data for tracking and reporting to CMS, KDADS leadership or other entities

Topeka, Kansas Area

Make calls to preselected numbers to process preset survey. Ensure proper coding. Supervision of up to 70 individuals with strong use of interpersonal and customer service skills are used in this position. As well, use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, use of PC, copier, phones, and internal monitor systems to track interviewers. Drafting of new documents to be used by all interviewers, to maintain compliance with national standards were also done for this position.

Garnett, Ks

Inbound calls come from people who call to inquire about a product or service after seeing an advertisement on TV, hearing a commercial on radio, or seeing an online or print advertisement. As a LiveOps independent sales agent, you may have calls where the goal is to pre-qualify the caller for the next step in the sales process. On other calls, the goal may be to sell the product and maximize the sale by offering upsells that complement the main product, subscription services, and other add-ons. Our clients’ marketing efforts drive people to call and LiveOps independent sales agents use their skills to convert them to sales.

Associate'S Degree, Health Information/Medical Records Technology/Technician, 3.42

Activities and Societies: O.P.E.N.

Bachelor, Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences, Other, 3.42

Activities and Societies: Co-President of O.P.E.N from 2009-2010 Dean's List from 2009-Graduation