News from Care Wisconsin

July 24, 2008

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

Community leaders, advocates and service providers gathered today in Waukesha to celebrate a milestone in the state’s long-term care redesign, the opening of Family Care in Waukesha 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 N19 W24075 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha. Care Wisconsin is one of the care management organizations contracted with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to manage the Family Care program in the county.

“We are proud to be part of Family Care in Waukesha 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 waitlist.”

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

Waukesha is one of 10 counties to implement Family Care so far this year. Currently, Family Care is in 17 counties throughout central and southern Wisconsin. The program will expand to at least 25 counties by early 2009.

The Waukesha County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has identified almost 2,000 residents who qualify for Family Care, which began services on July 1.
In August, there will be more than 230 people enrolled in Care Wisconsin’s Family Care program. This includes 24 people who have been waiting for services. Advocates point out that under the old system people could wait months or even years for services.

“I’m hearing positive things from families of adult children with disabilities that they are finally receiving services they’ve been waiting for quite some time,” says Jack Bodien, Human Services Manager for the ADRC. Bodien describes the ADRC as the single point of entry for seniors and adults with disabilities to receive non-biased options counseling, and to access long-term care services.

 In Waukesha County, people can choose between Care Wisconsin and another care management organization, Community Care.
At the core of Family Care is a member-centered approach to care and the extra support of a care team, which includes a care manager/social worker and a nurse. “Our care teams’ focus is on total well-being, prevention and early intervention to help people maintain independence and quality of life,” says Eimers.

Members of Care Wisconsin’s Family Care program have access to a local provider network for needed community-based services, such as in-home personal care, medical equipment, assisted living, physical therapy, transportation and help with employment.

Family Care is designed to be more cost-effective, increase consumer choice and safeguard against unnecessary nursing home placements due to delays for community-based services. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, an independent assessment of four counties shows Family Care saved an average of $452 per person, per month in total medical assistance expenditures.

Family Care replaces Medicaid waiver programs known as the Community Options Program and Community Integration Program. All current Medicaid waiver participants will transition to Family Care by January 1, 2009. Persons previously on waitlists should receive services within 24 months.

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

For more information on Family Care, contact the Waukesha County ADRC at (262) 548-7848 or toll-free 1-866-677-2372, or visit its office at 1320 Pewaukee Rd., Waukesha.

For more information on Care Wisconsin, call (262) 523-1601 or toll-free 1-866-530-2295, or visit its office at N19 W24075 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha.

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