Tag Archives: developmental disabilities

NYC FAIR’s Basic Primer on CCOs

CCO Basics: Care Coordination Organizations and You

Download Basic Primer CCOs-2018-04-23 FINAL EDITION

Background

The Federal Agency in charge of Medicaid, CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services), has mandated that New York State have a “conflict-free” system. CMS believes Medicaid Service Coordinators were sometimes steering families towards programs at the provider agency they worked for, and not the programs that best meet the needs of the individual.

So, NYS has created new Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs). Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSCs) will become Care Managers, working for these new CCOs. Care Managers will not work for an agency, just the CCO so that they will assist families in choosing services that are best for the person. This type of “conflict-free” system has been put in place across the country. New York is one of the last states to do so.

MSCs become Care Managers

The Care Manager’s job will be broader. Their job will include understanding behavioral and medical health in addition to the service system. CCO’s are responsible for training Care Managers and giving them access to a network of specialists in all these areas. Most MSCs have been offered jobs as Care Managers, and most have accepted. CCOs are also hiring additional qualified people to work as Care Managers. Care Managers will continue to work in the same physical space as before, but they will be employees of the CCO and not the agency. They may eventually have separate offices.

Decisions

Which CCO?

Each region is required to have at least two CCOs. There are three in NYC.

The CCO you choose will not change which agencies provide services to you or your loved one.

If your MSC has decided to move to a CCO you can follow them to that CCO. OPWDD says it will be easy to switch CCOs at any point in the future, so you are not locked into your initial decision. Those without MSCs can choose a CCO and the CCO must provide you with a Care Manager. The timeline for being assigned a Care Manager has not been set as of this date.

The CCOs are newly formed companies. None of them have any history of performance or financial stability or customer service. To help make a choice it’s a good idea to attend their presentations and hear about their plans and promises. You can just follow your MSC into the CCO they go to work for. You can change your mind later, after the CCOs start operating.

What Level of Care?

CMS requires that families and self-advocates have a choice of Care Management options. There are two choices:

  1. Health Home Care Management. With this choice Care Managers are there for all issues, including getting medical care, finding services, and even signing up for food stamps. The Care Manager is there to help coordinate. They will not be making medical decisions
  1. Basic Care. This choice includes only a few meetings a year and only about OPWDD services.

This new system will start July 1st, 2018. If you do not make a choice, the decision will be made for you.

FAQs about Care Coordination Organizations

Who will the MSC be working for, after July 1st?

Medicaid Service Coordinators (MSCs) will no longer work for a Provider Agency, but instead will become Care Managers and work for a Care Coordination Organization (CCO). In some cases, the services of the Care Managers will be “leased” to the CCO for the first year.

Will my services be interrupted?
The promise is that existing services will continue without interruption through the transition to CCOs, with Care Management replacing your “MSC Service”.

Doesn’t the MSC already deal with medical needs?

There is a section about doctors and medications in the Individualized Service Plan (ISP), but the MSC’s role is only to keep track of this information. They do not provide any assistance with dealing with doctors or medical treatment or preventative care.

Since we have private health insurance, why should we use the Health Home?

The Health Home does not duplicate the services of private insurance. Instead, the Care Manager provides assistance with health and wellness, and you are not obligated to use the recommendations or assistance. In addition, the Health Home option for Care Management provides help with other services, such as Food Stamps and housing support.

Where can I find more details about the Care Management Options?

For a list comparing Health Home and Basic, see pages 44 to 46 of the Draft Transition Plan dated February 21, 2018 on the OPWDD website. Yes, someone in New York State mis-spelled “transition” in the name of the posted document:

www.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/medicaid_health_homes/idd/docs/final_revised_draft_tranisiton_plan_feb_2018_for_publication.pdf

What if I don’t want a stranger coming to my home?

You choose where to meet the Care Manager. There is no need for them to enter your home.

What happens to the ISP (Individualized Service Plan)?

The Individualized Service Plan (ISP) will eventually be replaced by a “Life Plan” for each individual, including information about medical needs.

My MSC doesn’t have formal training in medical issues. What is being done about this?

CCOs are required to have a support network for their Care Managers, of people with expertise in behavioral health, mental health, medical issues, and family assistance.

Why does my MSC seem concerned about this change?

“When something changes, people hunger for information about how the change will effect them. When people lack information, they fill in the gaps with their worst fears.”
-Ken Schwaber

Communication about the changes has been late in coming. Now that details are emerging, MSCs are becoming more enthusiastic. In most cases, the salary packages and working conditions are more attractive than what they have been getting.

Why does my provider agency seem to be opposed to this change?

Some provider agencies might be losing a significant source of income. The providers are non-profits, and that income was used

NYC FAIR Mission Statement

NYC Family Advocacy Information Resource

A RESOURCE NETWORK FOR FAMILIES

Dedicated to creating a network of informed and empowered family members and friends to be effective advocates for the ID/DD community.

 

NYC FAIR:

  • Has launched a comprehensive website for all ages that offers links to existing resources that can provide help and answer questions.
  • Provides family members with opportunities to learn how to access services, how services are paid for, and what changes are coming to the field.
  • Is expanding the network of families between boroughs with representatives from every borough and outreach into the community.
  • Future plans include developing a Mentor/Mentee Program to share information and learn how to navigate the challenging world we find ourselves in today, aiming to create tomorrow’s leaders.
  • A member of the Statewide Network of Family Advocacy groups to address issues that affect people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities SWAN-NY

 

Contact us either by email: info@nycfair.orgNYCFAIR@gmail.com

Or call Elly Rufer 917-833-4738

Find us & “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/nycfair

Join Our FACEBOOK Group: NYC Family Advocacy & Information Resource Group

Sign Up for Newsletters: VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.nycfair.org

Follow us on Twitter: nyc fair

OPWDD Forums Now Available for Individuals and Families to Learn More About New Care Coordination Organizations

As you may know, the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is making an important improvement to the way services are coordinated. The Medicaid Service Coordination (MSC) program which is currently used to coordinate services will be replaced by a new and improved program called Health Home Care Management beginning July 1, 2018. Health Home Care Management will continue to provide the service coordination that people currently receive, and will also provide coordination of other services, such as health care and mental health supports.

Health Home Care Management Services will be provided by Care Coordination Organizations (CCOs), new entities formed by existing providers of developmental disability services. To provide you with information about the transition, OPWDD and the CCOs are hosting regional public forums across the State.

These forums are intended to educate the people we support about the transition. In order to accommodate the greatest number of individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members, we ask that you attend no more than one People First Care Coordination public forum. The same information will be presented at all regional forums, regardless of location and date.

 https://opwdd.ny.gov/news_and_publications/news/public-forums-now-available-individuals-and-families-learn-more-about-new

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OPWDD will be presenting a powerpoint on the changes

We will have the leaders of the new organizations in person

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NYC FAIR Meeting, 4/23: CCOs & Managed Care

Monday, April 23, 2018 at 6 – 8 pm

CCOs? And CCs?

All Three Approved

Care Coordination Organizations For NYC &
an IDD Managed Care Organization

WILL BE

at IAC

Meet their leaders, get the updates about their progress AND get answers FROM

 

Advanced Care Alliance: advancecarealliance.org/

Care Design New York: caredesignny.org/

Tri-County Care: tricountycare.org/

Partners Health Plan: phpcares.org/

In person at
IAC
150 West 30 Street, 15th Floor

(a light dinner will be available)

Register & let us know you if you need translation Remote Video Access will be Available
Indicate Location Preference on Registration Form

 

Confirmed Remote Sites:
FREE, 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage, NY
Little Flower, 2450 N. Wading Rive Road, Wading River, NY
ARC of Westchester,  Gleeson-Israel Gateway Center, 265 Saw Mill River Road, Hawthorne, NY

 

REGISTER NOW : https://goo.gl/forms/TEOqHI2yzo4dYMZY2

 

Submit your questions on Registration Form or email to info@nycfair.org

 

“Keeping The Promise” Letter from Laura Kennedy

 

On behalf of Laura J. Kennedy, President, NYSARC, Inc.:

 

Dear Family Members and Friends,

During the last ten years, it has become increasingly difficult for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to secure the residential placements they need to live safe, secure, and independent lives in their communities.Additionally, families throughout the state live in a perpetual state of anxiety that despite their advancing age and possible infirmity there is no assurance that anything other than a family catastrophe, including the death of a family caregiver, will be sufficient to justify an appropriate residential placement.

This problem only seems to be getting worse. According to a recent report by OPWDD, there are thousands of individuals who now need, or will need, permanent housing. In response to this growing housing crisis, parents and advocates have developed this Report To The Governor which describes the urgent problem and requests that the Governor expeditiously address it.

For all those who believe that we must resolve this issue, please  Read the Report to the Governor: “Keeping the Promise”and sign our online petition. We need thousands of names to bring this matter to the attention of the public, the press, and especially the Governor in preparation for the FY 18-19 State Budget.

For over half a century the united voice of families, parents, and friends of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has helped ensure that they are never forgotten. During a period in our nation’s history when human needs are under siege the voice of our families, friends, and advocates throughout the state has never been more important.

Again, we urge you to Read the Report to the Governor: “Keeping the Promise”  and sign our online petition and ask that all of you who care about our families and their loved ones to do the same.

Thank you for your support!