Hopefully all of you have been keeping track of all the proposed changes to Medicaid programs that are going on at the state level. The first big change is that developmental disability funding will no longer be overseen by SRS. We will go under the Department of Aging whose name will be changed to Department of Aging and Human Services. This is to take place in July 2012.
A much bigger change is Medicaid changing to KanCare. Instead of the state managing Medicaid, it is proposed that Medicaid will be managed by at least three different companies called Managed Care Organizations (MCO). Currently DD services will be included. We are asking that you write your Governor and representatives and ask that we be carved out. DD waiver services cannot be managed like medical services and we feel that lumping us in could put the quality of services at risk. The contracts are to be awarded sometime in January 2012 and implemented January 2013.
One key area for concern is case management. Case management is not a waiver service, it will change DRAMATICALLY. How will depend on the MCO! It is important to share what you want now while everything is in development.
Important Talking Points:
· My case manager works for me and my son/daughter. Why should I give that up and have to deal with an individual whose primary goal is “resource allocation” (code for budget cuts)?
· Managed Care companies have little or no experience with the types of long term support services that comprise the developmental disability programs. Why should they be allowed to gain this experience in Kansas?
· Only four states have considered putting disability services under Managed Care and none have fully implemented it. The savings they have achieved were from closing institutions. The few remaining institutions Kansas has are not included in the Request for Proposal (RFP). Why should our sons and daughters be subjected to a “Kansas Experiment”?
· Due to the passage of the DD Reform Act and the creation of the CDDOs 15 years ago, Kansas is light years ahead of the four Managed Care states.
· Why the rush to turn this over to a for-profit, out of state company? Obviously the insurance companies will be paid for this service and will have a vested interest in saving money to make money! Why would this be better for my son or daughter?
· The Kansas community-based DD service system is already a managed care system in several respects, including a capitated payment structure, an annual assessment process to ensure eligibility , referral to less-costly service options, management of the system through locally-designated gatekeeping entities, system-wide utilization reviews, and a quality assurance and data management system. DD Services and Case Management should not be part of managed care. The current system is an effective managed care system that operates on only 2.4% of the DD budget versus over 5% for a managed care company.
· The comprehensive redesign of targeted case management with no appreciation of how differently TCM is performed in the various service networks.
· Individuals may not have a choice of who their Case Manager will be. This will remove someone who knows the person, their family, their medical history, psychiatric history, etc. intimately.
· In any managed care model being developed, the reform of health care practices and health care administration holds the greatest opportunity for significant financial savings, not changing case management services.
· Kansas currently has a system that is not broke and will provide the same services as a new managed care company at less cost. I recommend that DD Services and Case Management are carved out from any future managed care organizations.
Contact Information
Go to http://www.capwiz.com/interhab/issues/alert/?alertid=58260531&type=SW , click on Take Action Now! This will allow you add a personal note and send it to the appropriate people.
Or
Contact
Office of the Governor Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Capitol Building Capitol Building, 2nd Floor
300 SW 10th Ave, Ste. 241S 300 SW 10th Ave
Topeka, KS 66612-1590 Topeka, KS 66612
1-877-579-6757 1-800-748-4408
Email: governor@ks.gov Email: lt.governor@ks.gov
You can locate your Kansas Legislators by going to www.kslegislature.com.
Bill CraigLakemary President/CEO
We want to inform you that Kansas is rolling out electronic time sheets for all Medicaid Waiver programs. We attended training in Topeka on Monday, November 28th ,that was conducted by First Data, the Kansas Department of Aging, and SRS. The new method of recording time worked, called KS Authenticare, will begin with the new year, in January 2012.
Instead of filling out paper time sheets, Helpers will call in to an interactive voice response system that will allow them to clock in and clock out, and indicate activities performed for the day. This should only take a minute or two for the Helper at the beginning and end of each shift. With this new system, there will be no need to send time sheets to us. However, it will still be important to track hours used to ensure they do not exceed the allotted hours on the Plan of Care.
Now that we have been to the training, we feel very comfortable with this new system. It has been used for several years in other states, and it has proven to be an effective way to record time worked. We are confident that in the long run this new system will be easier for everyone.
We will be mailing training materials and a quick reference guide to families and Helpers very soon. We will also post updated information on the news section of our website at www.Helpersinc.org. As always, we will be here to help you through this transition and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for choosing Helpers, Inc.!
Warm Regards,
Your Team at Helpers, Inc.
JCDS Community Relations Manager
Please join us for this fun event on November 5th!
Helpers, Inc. will have a team of bowlers, and would love for you to come out and join us!
Location: College Lanes (College Blvd. and Alt 69)
Time: 1p-2:30p or 3:00-4:30pm
Cost: Just $25 in donations
This is their only fundraiser of the year! Proceeds cover all sporting event costs, medals and awards, and recognition for our Athletes!
*It is also tax deductible!
You do not need to be involved in Special Olympics to participate! Bring your friends, your sports team, or your class to this fun event!
If you are interested, please contact Nan Kanter at 913-685-6015
Hope to see you there!
We are hosting our first annual FALL FESTIVAL!
Please join us on Monday, October 17th from 4pm – 6pm
Who: All of our families, their kiddos, and Helpers
What: Fall Festival and Pumpkin Patch
Where: Our Helpers, Inc. office
15540 South Pflumm Road
Olathe, Ks 66062
We are located in a farmhouse right across from the Johnson County Airport
Wear your Halloween Costume if you like, or come as you are!
We will have pumpkins, a hayride, and goodies to eat!
Hope to see you there!
We will continue to provide billing services under FMS, and are committed to providing the compassionate, quality services that families have come to expect with Helpers, Inc..
WE WANT TO BE YOUR FMS PROVIDER!
We want you to know how we are different from other agencies:
- Founded by a mother of a child with a developmental disability who understands the needs of the families we serve.
- Hassle Free set-up for both the family and the DSW or Helper. Our goal is to make this as smooth as possible for you and your loved one.
- Recruiting: We will continue to assist families with their recruiting needs!
- We will ensure the DSW gets paid on time! We promise no payments are late to the Helper through the FMS transition, even if the POC is in review.
- Direct Deposit is available for all Helpers.
- Legislative Involvement: We promise continued commitment to being a community resource for families. We will stay very active at a state level to advocate for our population!
- We always answer the phones during business hours. We are here to provide assistance to you and your families through this transition. Our knowledgeable, friendly, and reliable team is here to help every step of the way.
Please contact us this week or next, rather than waiting until November 1st. We can begin to process your paperwork and get backgrounds started so you are ready to bill when FMS is implemented.
Please call us if we can answer any questions for you. We look forward to working with you through this transition!
Hello to our friends
I just wanted to provide you an update of our Fall/Winter Family Trainings.
Any family that you feel would benefit from any/all of these trainings, please feel free to pass the information along.
To register for any of these trainings, please contact Mary Anne Hammond (Education Coordinator) at 913-696-5711; or email her at mhammond@cmh.edu or to find out more about the trainings go to:
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Testimonials
I love working with everyone at Helpers, Inc., and I have recommended it to many parents. You certainly have made my life easier and Kirk's happier.
Gail





