News from Care Wisconsin

August 27, 2007

Family Care Opens in Dodge County,
Benefits Frail Seniors and Adults with Disabilities

Community leaders, advocates and service providers gathered today in Juneau to celebrate a milestone in the state’s long-term care redesign, the opening of Family Care in Dodge County. Hundreds of frail seniors and adults with disabilities now have more choices and improved access to needed health and long-term care services.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also marked the opening of Care Wisconsin’s care team offices at
820 N. Main St., Juneau. Care Wisconsin is the Care Management Organization contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to manage the two Family Care programs—Family Care and Partnership—in the county.

“We are proud to be part of Family Care in Dodge County,” says Ken Eimers, Chief Operating Officer of Care Wisconsin. “This is a positive step forward to ensuring that frail seniors, adults with developmental disabilities and adults with physical disabilities get access to quality services when they need them and don’t go on a waiting list.”

Eimers recognized the collaborative relationship between the state, Dodge County’s Human Services and Health Department, and the nonprofit Care Wisconsin. Karen Timberlake, Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and Dodge County officials also joined in the event.

Area residents began receiving health and long-term care services under Family Care on
August 1. More than 250 people in the county will transition from current Medicaid waiver programs to Family Care by the end of the year. There’s also another 180 people who have been waiting for services and will begin receiving services within 24 months.

Timberlake spoke about the state’s history of managed long-term care and progress made since 2006 when Governor Jim Doyle announced his goal to expand Family Care statewide, eliminate waiting lists for community-based care, and promote the integration of health and long-term care services over the next five years.

In 2010, Family Care will become an entitlement ensuring people will no longer need to wait for community-based alternatives to nursing home care. Advocates point out that under the old system people could wait months or even years for services. About 11,000 people remain on waiting lists for community-based care statewide.

“The need to put people on a waiting list will end, according to current plans, by August 1, 2010,” says Kathryn Ryan, Division Manager of the Dodge County Human Services and Health Department. “Although new applicants for Family Care are placed on a waiting list, the staff at the county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center offer information and assistance regarding public benefits that may be available and any other resources available throughout the area.”

Family Care Program Choice
“Drawing from over 32 years of experience in long-term care and managing complex programs,
Care Wisconsin understands the importance of offering flexible programs that respect individual choices,” says Eimers.

In Dodge County, people have the choice between two care management programs: Family Care and Partnership.

The basic Family Care program includes long-term care services available through home and community-based waiver programs, and some Medicaid services. Services include in-home personal care, adult day care, medical equipment, assisted living, transportation and help with employment.

The enhanced Partnership program covers all services in the basic Family Care program, plus offers one-stop shopping for Medicare-covered health and medical services, and prescription drugs. Additional services include physician care, dental services and hospital care.

At the core of both programs is a member-centered approach to care and the extra support of a care team. “Our focus is on total well-being, prevention and early intervention to maintain independence and quality of life,” says Eimers.

Care teams include the member and an array of caring staff, such as a care manager/social worker, registered nurse and/or nurse practitioner. Together, members and their care teams create personalized service plans, designed to be flexible and help members achieve goals. Members also have the option to self direct some or all of their services, including selecting hands-on care providers.

In addition to Dodge County, Care Wisconsin will manage Family Care in eight other counties, including Columbia, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Sauk, Washington, Waukesha and Waushara, in 2008.

For more information about Family Care in Dodge County, call (920) 386-3580 or toll-free
1-800-924-6407, or visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 127 E. Oak St., Juneau.

For more information about Care Wisconsin, call (920) 386-5010 or toll-free 1-877-496-4412, or visit its care team offices at 820 N. Main St., Juneau.

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