May 07, 2007 - Vol 1, Issue 14
Critical Opportunity - " People First" Coordinated Care Listening Forums
Four state commissioners - Richard Daines from DOH, Karen Carpenter-Palumbo from OASAS, Diana Jones Ritter from OMRDD, and Michael Hogan from OMH - are hosting a series of listening tours around the state to obtain input from people who use multiple service systems as well as from the providers that work with them regarding their experience with access, quality, and coordinated care. Their goal is to obtain information about how to improve quality and outcomes as well as how to better coordinate support for people.
This is a critical opportunity for you and your constituents to share your experiences and concerns regarding geriatric mental health.
Forums will be held in the following areas on the following dates:
New Paltz - 5/14/07
NYC - 6/6/07
Buffalo - 6/19/07
Syracuse - 6/20/07
Plattsburgh - 7/13/07
You should arrive early as seating is limited and will be on a first come, first serve basis. You will be asked to complete a card with your comments. The cards are available online for you to complete in advance.
For your convenience, here is a list of possible talking points.
If you cannot attend but want to provide feedback, you can submit comments online.
For more information about the listening tours, please visit the OMH website.
We really hope that you will be able to participate.
PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU OR ANY OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS WILL BE ATTENDING.
------------------------------------------------------------------
GMHA Conference Early Bird Registration
The early bird registration deadline for the first annual Geriatric Mental Health Alliance Conference entitled Geriatric Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities Across the Horizon on Thursday, May 31st is fast approaching.
Please be sure to register by May 11th to get the discounted rate.
Click here for the updated brochure and registration information.
------------------------------------------------------------------
GMHA Conference: Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities
We invite you to join us in support of our 1st Annual Geriatric Mental Health Conference by displaying materials as a vendor or sponsoring the event.
Vendors will be able to display their material throughout the conference. Sponsors will be listed as such in the conference material as well as receive recognition throughout the event.
Click here to view the vendor and sponsor prospectus for more information, including fees.
We hope that you will consider either being a vendor or a sponsor of the event.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Advocacy Alert: Support Air Conditioning Legislation
Representatives Brennan and Gottfried have introduced legislation (A.7069) directing the Dept. of Health to come up with a fee schedule for air conditioning in adult homes.
Please contact your Assemblymember and/or Senator urging him/her to support the bill.
Here is sample letter you can use.
If you do not know your legislator, click here to locate him/her.
Thanks for your support.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Upcoming Events
May 2007 - You and Your Aging Relative A series of free workshops for family members caring for aging relatives sponsored by the Heights and Hill Community Council. All workshops are held on Tuesday from 6:30-8:30pm at 160 Montague St., 3rd floor, Brooklyn Heights. For more information, click here.
May 16, 2007 - 2007 Hearthstone Reisberg Award and Lecture sponsored by the Hearthstone Alzheimer Family Foundation. Dr. Michelle Bourgeois is the recipient of the 2007 Reisberg Award for Excellence in Non-Pharmacologic Treatment and Research in Alzheimer's Disease. Dr. Bourgeois will receive her award and give a lecture entitled "From Memory Books to Reminder Cards: Maintaining Function in Dementia with Written Cues". The event is from 9:00 am - 11:00am at . Register for this event by contacting Cindy Hecht at 917-331-8647 or hecht@thehearth.org.
May 16, 2007 - Tools for Navigating the Labyrinth of Memory Disorders: Making Order Out of Chaos sponsored by the Queens Mental Health Council Geriatrics Committee and the Alzhiemer's Association, NYC Chapter. The conference will be from 8:30am-1:30pm at the Parker Jewish Institute Health Care and Rehabilitation Campus of Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Please view the brochure for more information on the program and registration.
May 21, 2007 - Building Community: A Conference Addressing Geriatric Mental Health Awareness & Advocacy sponsored by JPAC and JASA from 9am-12noon at UJA Federation of New York, 130 East 59th Street, 7th Floor, NYC. Advanced registration is required.
Please see flyer for more information.
May 23, 2007- Introduction to Aging and Developmental Disabilities It is essential that clinicians, nurses, and direct support professionals are trained in basic biological aging, specific risk factors based on the factors of aging interacting with the preexisting disability, and an overview of the importance of quality geriatric assessment. Topics will include the biological process of aging; differences and similarities in the aging process among persons with DD and the general population; the components of geriatric assessment; the impact of medications; and differential diagnosis.Training Location: RRTI Training Center, 155 Washington Ave, Suite 410. Click here to download flyer.
May 24, 2007 - Preparing for the Elderboom: Strategies for Success through Workforce Development and Advocacy - an all day conference sponsored by the New York Southern Area Aging Network. There will be a workshop sponsored by the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance on workforce development to meet the mental health needs of older adults. The conference will take place from 8:30- 3:30pm at the Fordham University Law School, Lincoln Center Campus, 140 West 62 Street, NY, NY. Please click here for the brochure and registration information.
May 30, 2007 - Personal Empowerment: Becoming a Proactive Health Care Consumer A workshop series focusing on health, wellness and recovery sponsored by NYC Dept of Health & Mental Hygiene - Office of Consumer Affairs. This workshop will provide you with practical information to successfully incorporate physical wellness strategies into your personal recovery oriented goals. Presenters are Cathy Holladay, Associate Director, Sky Light Center, Fern Fleckman, Director of Mental Health, and William F. Ryan Community Health Center Sky Light Center Member - Christopher Heath. The workshop will take place from 3 - 5 PM at 125 Worth Street, 2nd floor, Auditorium
June 14, 2007 - JASA Volunteer Ventures Expo A free half-day conference and volunteer opportunities fair for adults 50+. The event is from 9:30-2:00pm at the UJA Federation of New York, 130 East 59th Street, 7th Floor, NYC. Advanced registration is required.
See flyer for more details.
June 19th and 20th - Save the Date: The 11th Annual “Aging Concerns Unite Us” Conference at the Albany Crowne Plaza, State and Lodge Street, Albany, NY. For more information, please email gabe@nysaaaa.org or visit the NYSAAAA website.
June 22, 2007 - 7th Annual Orange County Mental Health & Wellness Conference OMH Commissioner Michael F. Hogan and Geriatric Mental Health Alliance Chairman Michael Friedman to Keynote. The conference will take place from 8:30am to 4:00pm at Anthony's Pier 9 in New Windsor. For more information, please visit here.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Mental Health Parity Day!
On Wednesday, May 2, join Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and national advocacy organizations for Mental Health Parity Day.
Mental Health Parity Day is a call upon members of Congress to support enacting bipartisan mental health parity legislation, H.R. 1424, "The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addition Equity Act and to urge key committee leaders to review the legislation without delay.
he co-sponsors of the legislation will hold a press conference and operate a "war room" while constituents and representatives of national organizations meet with members of Congress to urge support for the bill.
You can lend your voice in support of this legislation!
On Wednesday, May 2 call the national parity hotline (1-866-PARITY4). This hotline has been set up to connect you to your Representative.
The message is simple but vital. Urge your representative to cosponsor and support the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act." If your representative is already a cosponsor of the bill, urge them to contact their colleagues to support the bill and to press for enactment this year.
Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007
The Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007 expands the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 by prohibiting group health plans from imposing treatment or financial limitations on mental health benefits that are different from those applied to medical/surgical services. The legislation applies only to group health plans already providing mental health benefits and exempts plans sponsored by small businesses of fewer than 50 employees.
------------------------------------------------------------------
EPIC Now Requiring Members to Join Medicare Part D Plans
From Selfhelp Community Services
Effective July 1, 2007, EPIC is now requiring its members to join Medicare Part D plans as a condition of continued eligibility for EPIC.
Here's what relevant consumers and providers need to know.
Enrollee Communication
All EPIC enrollees will receive a form letter within the next few weeks. Each letter will have an identification number on the bottom right-hand corner. If your client has questions, you or your client can use the EPIC helpline (8003323742) and reference this number for individualized advice.
EPIC will enroll every member (with some exceptions listed below) into a basic Medicare drug plan as of July 1. EPIC will use its records of each member's drug utilization and preferred pharmacy to select the best basic plan, but members are also free to choose their own plans by contacting EPIC within 30 days of receiving the letter.
Those EPIC members who already have Part D coverage will get a different letter, notifying them that their coverage will not change, but that EPIC will start paying their premiums. Those EPIC members who have a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan without drug coverage (MA-only plan) may be assigned to that plan's MA-PD (MA with drug coverage), if it is cost- effective for EPIC and doesn't reduce other health benefits under the plan (see exception below).
How Does It Work?
EPIC Fee Plan
EPIC will pay the monthly premium for any PDP or MA-PD up to the benchmark amount ($24.45 in 2007). Those who have chosen plans with more expensive premiums will be billed for the difference. For those who have the premium withheld from their Social Security checks, the plan will tell Social Security to stop the deduction; this will take a few months. Members will still be responsible for paying their annual or quarterly EPIC fee, unless they are on Full Extra Help, in which case EPIC will continue to waive the fee.
EPIC Deductible Plan
Seniors will receive an annual credit toward their EPIC deductible of the total yearly cost of their Part D premiums, at the benchmark rate. This will reduce their deductible amount (how much they must pay out- of-pocket before EPIC begins sharing the cost).
This year:
Deductible plan members will receive a pro-rated credit to their deductible (or refund, if already met the deductible this year) calculated from July 1, 2007, based on the number of months remaining in their EPIC coverage year. The monthly credit amount is the 2007 benchmark of $24.45. Even if their Part D plan's premium is less than $24.45, that's how much their monthly credit will be. If they have already met their deductible in 2007, they will receive a refund check instead of a credit.
Exceptions to Mandatory Enrollment - These people do not have to join a Part D plan:
- EPIC enrollees who are not eligible for or not enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B.
- Seniors who have retiree or union health coverage for whom joining Part D would cause them (or their dependents) to lose other retiree or union health benefits.
- Deductible plan enrollees who did not meet their deductible in the previous or current coverage year. Although EPIC will encourage them to join Part D, they are not required to do so. If they do meet the deductible, EPIC will notify them at that time that they must enroll in Part D; timing is unclear.
- Seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans that either: (1) Do not offer a cost-effective Part D option without reducing other medical benefits. If EPIC identifies someone as having such a plan, they will tailor their letter accordingly. (2) Have premiums for Part D coverage (MA-PD) that exceed $24.45/month. However, if cost-effective for the state, EPIC may pay the difference in premium and enroll the client into the compatible MA-PD plan.
If you believe your client qualifies for an exception, you can call the EPIC Helpline. 1-800-332-3742 - Monday through Friday - 8:30am-5:00pm
------------------------------------------------------------------
In the News
Study Finds Dual Eligibles Denied Access to Psychiatric Drugs Under Medicare Part D, Other Problems
From Kaiser Daily Health Report
May 3, 2007
"Medication Access and Continuity: The Experiences of Dual-Eligible Psychiatric Patients During the First 4 Months of the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit," American Journal of Psychiatry: For the study, Joyce West of the American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education and colleagues examined access to psychiatric medications under Medicare Part D for dual eligibles -- beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid -- and found that some experience significant problems receiving drugs. More than 30% of dual eligibles were denied medication refills, more than 22% had interrupted or discontinued access to medication and many beneficiaries had their medications changed regardless of whether their condition was stable. The authors concluded that these access difficulties led to suicide, hospitalizations and homelessness, prompting mental health advocates, such as the American Psychiatric Association, to push for the drug plans to follow CMS guidelines (American Psychiatric Association release, 5/1).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Asset Transfers That Would Allow Elderly To Qualify for Medicaid Rare, GAO Finds
From Kaiser Daily Health Report
April 30, 2007
Most nursing home residents are unlikely to have sold off assets below market value to qualify for long- term care coverage from Medicaid, according to a Government Accountability Office report released on Thursday, CongressDaily reports. Because of concerns that the practice might be widespread, Congress in 2006 passed a provision in the budget reconciliation law to expand from three years to five years the "look back" period in which seniors who transfer their assets at less than market value are ineligible for Medicaid.
The GAO report found that the practice is "generally limited and often based on anecdote" (Johnson, CongressDaily, 4/27). According to the report -- based on 540 Medicaid nursing home application files in three states -- more than 90% of seniors entering nursing homes had assets of $30,000 or less, not including their homes. Eighty-five percent had annual incomes of $20,000 or less (Teitelbaum, CQ HealthBeat, 4/27). In addition, the report found that Medicaid beneficiaries in nursing homes had a median income of about half that of non-Medicaid nursing home residents (CongressDaily, 4/27). Medicaid beneficiaries also were less likely to have reported transferring cash than non-Medicaid beneficiaries. The report concludes that "the extent to which new long-term care provisions in the (budget reconciliation law) may affect applicants' eligibility for Medicaid coverage for long-term care is uncertain" (CQ HealthBeat, 4/27).
Reaction
"This report confirms that the Medicaid long term- care program is not rife with cheats and scam artists," House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair John Dingell (D-Mich.) said in a statement issued along with House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Chair Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
Waxman said, "For several years now, the administration has been telling us that 'creative estate planning' often allows individuals to become eligible for Medicaid without using their own assets for needed care first. Of course, this assertion, like a toy sold without batteries, came without documentation." The four lawmakers requested the report (CongressDaily, 4/27).
Republicans contend that the law is necessary to prevent future abuses. Lisa Miller, a Republican spokesperson for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said of the report, "So what? GAO picked 500 cases in three states and says it can't find the rich people who pretend to be poor so they can qualify for welfare?" (CQ HealthBeat, 4/27).
The report is available online.
No comments:
Post a Comment