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COLUMBIA COUNTY ENTERS INTO FAMILY CARE

MADISON - Secretary Kevin R. Hayden today announced the launch of Family Care in Columbia County. It is anticipated that Family Care will serve hundreds of seniors and people with disabilities in the area by providing more choices and improved access to health and long-term care services.

“Family Care has proven our seniors and people with disabilities can get the long-term care they need, while living in their home or community,” said Secretary Hayden. "Family Care keeps people happy and healthy, while saving our taxpayers money. We are pleased to welcome Care Wisconsin as a partner in this program."

Secretary Hayden was joined in Portage by Care Wisconsin CEO Karen Musser, community leaders, advocates and service providers to celebrate the occasion.

“We are proud to be part of Family Care in Columbia County,” said Karen Musser, CEO 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 sit on a waitlist for years.”

Care Wisconsin is the Care Management Organization (CMO) that will manage the Family Care program in Columbia County. More than 100 Columbia County residents are expected to enroll in Family Care by April 1, 2008, with anticipation of 350 to 400 Family Care members in the community by the end of the year.

Family Care allows seniors and people with disabilities the choice to receive long-term care services in their own homes and communities. Family Care provides an entitlement to long-term care, using Medicaid dollars flexibly and not just earmarking dollars for nursing home care. While Wisconsin has been a national leader in offering community-based alternatives to nursing home care, about 11,500 people are on waitlists for community care statewide.

Family Care currently operates in Fond du Lac, Kenosha, La Crosse, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Sheboygan and Milwaukee counties. In an independent assessment of four counties, Family Care saved an average of $452 per person, per month in total Medical Assistance expenditures. The program will expand to at least 25 additional counties in 2008 and early 2009.

For more information about Family Care in Columbia County, call toll-free 1-888-742-9233 or visit the ADRC at 2652 Murphy Road, Portage. Or for more information about Family Care in general, go to http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/LTCare/.

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Last Revised:  March 26, 2008