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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, 608-266-1683
DODGE COUNTY ENTERS INTO FAMILY CARE
MADISON - Secretary Karen Timberlake today announced the launch of
Family Care in Dodge County. Family Care will provide more choices and
improved access to health and long-term care services for hundreds of
seniors and people with disabilities in the area.
"Family Care will give senior citizens and disabled individuals in
Dodge County the option of receiving the long-term care they need within
their homes or communities," said Secretary Timberlake. "This
initiative improves health care quality and access, saves taxpayers money
and, most importantly, it keeps people healthy and independent. We are
pleased to have Care Wisconsin in this program."
Secretary Timberlake was joined at the Care Wisconsin Office in Juneau
by Ken Eimers, Chief Operating Officer of Care Wisconsin, Family Care
members, community leaders, advocates and service providers to celebrate
the occasion.
Dodge County and Care Wisconsin are a part of the Family Partnership
Care Management Coalition (FPCMC), one of the public/private partnerships
to receive a planning grant for long-term care reform from Governor Jim
Doyle and DHS.
"We are proud to be part of Family Care in Dodge County,"
said Eimers. "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."
Care Wisconsin started Family Care in Dodge County on August 1, 2008.
Initial members will include more than 180 individuals who have been
waiting for services in Dodge County and more than 250 individuals who
have been participating in Dodge's Medicaid waiver programs. All current
Medicaid waiver participants will transition to Family Care by January 1,
2009. Persons previously on waitlists should receive services within 24
months.
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 11,000 people remain on waitlists
for community care statewide.
Family Care currently operates in 19 counties throughout the state. 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 35 counties by early 2009.
For more information about Family Care in Dodge County, call toll-free
1-800-924-6407 or visit the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 127 E.
Oak Street, Room 203, in Juneau. For general information about Family
Care, go to http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/LTCare/
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Last Revised: October 24, 2008 |
