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

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*,i,,,, asosals, prac~fG~os~a& ls and guideIni me5,Edepu ,,MrrEnaEirna e application to people
with disabilities. This is a set of guiding pri e10,N MWAU ' T ook" for the perfect
managed care system. These principles should be viewed only as a starting place by advocates
who are working to ensure that managed care systems meet the varied needs of children and
adults with disabilities and their families.
Issues in managed care concerning long term services and supports
for people with disabilities are not expressly addressed in this
document. Other CCD materials address these issues. However, the
CCD wants to stress that if a managed care entity is responsiblefor
any long term services and supports, these must be provided in
accordance with best practices and emphasize community-based,
consumer directed services. Long term services must not become
overly medicalized because a health care entity is responsible for
payment. Consumers of long term services must be given choices and
fiidl range of quality assurance measures mustbe available based on
individual needs and personal preferences about types, methods,
providers, and sites of services.
Principles For <strong>Managed</strong> <strong>Care</strong> For People With Disabilities
The CCD believes that if managed care systems/plans are to meet the needs of people with
disabilities, they must embody the following principles.
Consumer Participation
<strong>Managed</strong> care systems/plans must ensure that all key stakeholders, including individuals with
disabilities, family members, support agencies, providers, advocates, and others are enlisted in
designing, implementing, and -overseeing the operation of both public and private managed care
systems and plans.
<strong>Managed</strong> care systems/plans must not encourage placement in institutions but, instead, encourage
the provision of services that support people to live as independently as possible and to participate
in the every day life of the community.
Consumer Choice
<strong>Managed</strong> care systems/plans must expand, not diminish, opportunities for people with disabilities
and their families to choose services and supports that will improve the quality of their lives.
<strong>Managed</strong> care systems/plans must be structured in a _manner that decentralizes decision making
and promotes innovation in providing appropriate services and supports to people with
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