S5 E1 - Next Generation MyCare Program

In this episode, I’m joined by two of my incredible colleagues, Rita Crow and Sarah Hall, as we unravel the story behind the Next Generation MyCare Program.Welcome to "Pretend I Know Nothing." I'm Katie White, your host and the administrator of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA).Together, we’ll share how we navigated the transition from the original MyCare Ohio demonstration project to this brand new, statewide initiative. Drawing from our years of experience in case management, program leadership, and serving some of Ohio’s most vulnerable populations, we’ll give you an honest, behind-the-scenes look at all the planning, problem-solving, and teamwork that went into launching Next Generation MyCare Program.You’ll hear how Area Agencies on Aging—like ours—play a crucial role in this work, how collaborating with managed care organizations has changed the landscape, and what it really takes to roll out a massive change like this without leaving people behind.You don’t need to know anything about healthcare or managed care to follow along; we break it all down, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned along the way.Top 3 Takeaways:Care Integration that Works: By uniting Medicare and Medicaid services under a single managed care plan, Ohio’s AAAs have streamlined access to care, closed coverage gaps, and delivered tailored support for some of the state’s most vulnerable populations.Collaboration & Consistency Matter: Developing statewide standards—through extensive committee work and contract negotiations—has ensured that every member receives a consistent level of service, no matter where they live or which managed care plan they’re on.Teamwork Powers Success: The culture of collaboration, adaptability, and putting members first sets the AAAs apart. From specialized staff roles to ongoing feedback loops, everyone works together—across units, across counties—to keep people safe, healthy, and at home.Let me know what you think of this podcast, as well as any ideas you have for an episode. Email me at [email protected]!https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2026 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging