The privatization of Iowa Medicaid goes into effect today.

Medicaid will now be administered by three MCOs: AmeriHealth, Amerigroup and United Healthcare. The changes to the system will affect Pella Regional Health Center, Knoxville Hospital and Clinics, hospice, all county nursing homes and a host of other health care providers. Knoxville Hospital and Clinics CEO Kevin Kincaid tells KNIA/KRLS News his hope is that the transition goes smoothly. Medicaid recipients have been automatically enrolled in one of the three MCOs ahead of the transition.