Project Background: Magellan handles behavioral health services for a variety of Medicaid accounts. In an effort to bring up websites quickly and efficiently, the websites for these accounts were packaged as one template, with differences for colors, imagery, and menu. However, since Medicaid contracts vary widely from state to state, this system proved to be inadequate, either requiring new development or jerry rigging. This, in turn, resulted in a less than optimal user experience.

Problem: How can we redesign our Medicaid sites so they can be developed quickly, yet are flexible enough to cater to each contact’s specific needs?

Process: Analyzed the current sites to determine usage patterns. Interviewed the business to determine issues and inadequacies. Cataloged all the content on all the sites to determine items that were universal, as well as one-offs. Created a sample information architecture, site maps, wireframes and storyboards showing layouts and flows of the new site. Created prototypes illustrating how the new design would work for different accounts, and worked with the business to make sure that the design and structure accommodated their specific needs.

Design Solution: Architected and designed a new Umbraco-based modular content system for Medicaid accounts. They all share a basic, flexible template, with customizable components. Home pages can work for simple, marketing-style layouts, or for more complex, portal-type layouts. Additional components can be added as needed, and the system can accommodate both basic behavioral health and health plan configurations. Websites can be brought up with minimal IT involvement, follow the brand, and are 508 compliant and mobile ready.