Medicaid Managed Care - U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

6
delay the onset of secondary disabilities and debilitating conditions
that can transmute into expensive acute care episodes.
Service coordination is needed to afford continuity among the
many specialists and related service personnel, including long-term
services, assistive technology and social services, that people with
disabilities use. Appropriate application of coordination, as opposed
to case management, of health and related services can both raise
the quality of services delivered and reduce the cost of these services.
One often overlooked theme is that most individuals with disabilities
are quite healthy. Routine health screenings to maintain this
good health are vital for the prevention of secondary disabilities as
well as the prevention of other common ailments affecting the general
population.
In my written statement, I have attached a list of important
principles for your consideration when designing managed care programs
intended to serve individuals with disabilities. I want to
thank you for your attention this morning and, after everybody else
has spoken, I would be glad to answer any questions you might
have.
MS. CHRISTENSEN. Thank you very much.
[The prepared statement of Tony Young follows:]