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

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Milwaukee County residents with
disabilities rely on I <strong>Care</strong>
<strong>Medicaid</strong> recipients with disabilities in Milwaukee County now have a navigator to guide them chrough the
waters of managed care That navigator is I <strong>Care</strong>.
I <strong>Care</strong>, or Independent <strong>Care</strong>s has been operati since 1994 when the Department of Health and Family
Services received a Health <strong>Care</strong> Financing Administration research and demonstration grant to begin a
project to help developmentally disabled <strong>Medicaid</strong> recipients.
The I <strong>Care</strong> program provides coordinated medical and social services to people with disabilities who live in
Milwaukcc County. Services are arranged for each recipient by a care coordinar. The care coordinator
helps each recipient do the following:
* Choose a doctor and hospital.
* Find appropriate medical care.
Find services after a hospital stay.
* Sign up for social scrvices.
* Find community services.
I <strong>Care</strong> members receive the same medical services as those covered by <strong>Medicaid</strong>. In addition to these
services, I <strong>Care</strong> offers recipients the following:
* A Core Coordinaror: This individual works to get the member and his or her farily the services they
nced.
* A Primary <strong>Care</strong> Doctor: PFimary care doctors are chosen for their knowledge of. and desire to work
with, persons with disabilities.
* Hospiial and emergecny services: Each msember' cer coordinator or physician arranges hospital stays
* Wellsess Programrs: I <strong>Care</strong> offers programs to help members stay healthy and a newsletter with health
advice and program descriptions.
* Social Services: Members may access social services via their care coordinator. This coordinator helps
the member find the services he or she needs.
In addition to standard medical services, care coordinators can help members arrange dental and eye care
appointments, mental health, alcohol. and drug abuse treamet pharmacy servis. medical supplies and
equipment. homecare services, nursing home and hospice care services, and transpctation.
<strong>Care</strong> coordinators collect base line data to snpport program effectiveneas. conduct a needs assss~meot
within 30 days of enrollment and help the mormsbr select a ptimary care phyaidan. The care coordinator
can also approve or disapprove certain oervies (for example. ER. visits) based on medical necessity.
Those eligible for I <strong>Care</strong> include people who receive Supplemencal Security Income and <strong>Medicaid</strong> under
Medical Status code 21. who live in Milwaukee County. and who are at lea 15 years old.
For more information about I <strong>Care</strong> contact Mike Fox at 608-266-7559.;
Reprinted .4th permission from the December, 1997 Forward newrleer.