NASHUA — Kate Butler and Bob Goeeman’s 5-year old daughter Dorothy was born prematurely. When they learned of the state’s move to implement Medicaid Care Management by late this year, they had some big questions about how it would affect their severely disabled child.

“Our concern is how their move to the managed care plan will affect her ability to get the services that enable her to be the best baby that she can be,” Butler said.

Medicaid Care Management, which will begin in December, puts health care management on the backs of three companies chosen by the state: Boston Medical Center Health Plan, Granite Care-Meridian Health Plan of New Hampshire, and Granite State Health Plan. Recipients will have the option to choose which best suits their needs.

Joining 46 other states, the New Hampshire Legislature approved the plan early in 2012. Medicaid patients suffering from severe and chronic conditions will receive so-called “care management.”

Thursday night at Nashua High School South, Nancy Rollins, associate commissioner at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, explained what care management will mean.

Addressing a packed auditorium, Rollins said the new system will allow for a greater level of coordination among providers. “All too frequently, specialists may not know what a primary care doctor is doing, a primary care doctor may not know what all these other things are.”

Rollins said the first goal is to ensure that everyone on Medicaid has a primary care doctor.

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