New York Medicaid users with chronic illnesses and disabilities will now have an option for tailored health services that makes it easier to live at home, not in a facility.
17 community-based organizations announced their collaboration Thursday for a new managed long-term care plan---iCircleCare.
The idea is to come up with a tailored plan with services that may include: home care, rehabilitation therapy, dental services, and other health and social service needs.
Sankar Sewnauth, board chair for iCircleCare, explains the goal is to keep people out of nursing facilities, whenever possible.
“If you think of yourself and life that you've built and the natural supports that you have around you, it makes sense not only for your quality of life that you stay in your home, but it makes economic sense, too.”
As the state restructures the way it pays for Medicaid services, New York has begun to move away from so-called “fee-for-service” providers. It’s an attempt to have more flat-fee managed care organizations.
Sewnauth says part of their mission is to provide local and culturally competent care.
“For linguistics, we have a partner who provides care management and they cover 17 languages and cultures. So, we feel like we're really prepared.”
Community organization involved include: the Ibero-American Action League, Catholic Family Services, and the Baden Street Settlement House.
The plan is available in 22 counties around Rochester, Syracuse, and the Southern Tier, with transportation services.