Some providers of group living (assisted living) and home care services report that area agencies on aging and other agents of the Medicaid waivers have indicated they are no longer enrolling new service providers.  Among the theories is that they have been inundated by group living providers from the mental health network whose business practices have not been acceptable including not maintaining the required insurance coverages and not paying payroll taxes.

Waiver agents officially indicate they simply have enough providers for the case loads they manage while others indicate they had not internally prepared to manage so many new providers and needed to cut it off.

What are you hearing? Blog and tell us....

I met a young woman in Farmington Hills, MI whose daughter appeared to have stomach flu.  I insisted she take her to the hospital considering the great likelihood of dehydration, etc. and she told me that the minute she gets that bill in the mail it would just add to her depression.  She works as a nurse's aide but does not have health insurance.  We have to do better than this in America.

My heroes in care for 2009 have been focused, determined, energetic and bold.  All of us must approach our business activities with real zeal and determination or we have no one to blame for our failures but ourselves.

I am excited about waivers to the Medicaid program designed to reduce the number of people in skilled nursing centers who do not require that level of care.  Of course there is an entrepreneurial advantage to for the community based care provider.  Well managed waiver programs can offer a real boost to community based care and to family togetherness.

For more details contact your local area agency on aging or state Office of Services to the Aging.

DID YOU NOTICE THE QUOTATION MARKS?  HEALTH CARE! THAT IS WHAT FAMILIES NEED.  IF YOUR PROGRAM STILL REQUIRES THE DAUGHTER TO TAKE A DAY OFF WORK TO TAKE MOM TO THE DOCTOR, UNLESS SHE JUST WANTS TO, THEN YOUR PROGRAM IS LIKELY NOT COMPREHENSIVE ENOUGH.

ADULT DAY PROGRAMS ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING SERIOUS RELIEF TO STRESSED CAREGIVERS.  ARE YOU CONTEMPLATING OPERATING A PROGRAM OR WOULD LIKE TO ADD MARKETABILITY TO YOUR EXISTING PROGRAM? 

BUY THE BOOK?  www.homecareopsmanual.com, learn, grow!

WE HAVE SEVERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM BILLS FLOATING THROUGH CONGRESS.  THIS IS ONE EDITOR WHO DOES NOT LIKE THE IDEA OF RAISING EXISTING NATIONAL DEBT.  HOWEVER, I AM SO DISTURBED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE I AM ENCOUNTERING WHO CANNOT GO TO THE DOCTOR, OR SHALL I SAY WHO REFUSE TO GO BECAUSE THEY FEAR THE BILL.

COMPROMISE MUST BE IN THE AIR; THERE IS THIS LITTLE ISSUE CALLED HUMANITY.

Let the fight out

Seriously; when challenges come giving up can never be an option as long as we are providing a quality, needed service or product.  This is not a fantasy.  If you have been contracting through a mental health network and the funds are drying up or your contract status is in jeopardy, its time to diversify.  You did enter into this business to serve the community; keep it moving.

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Each and everyday we must be accomplishing something that keeps work fun.that is what work has to be in order for us to remain fulfilled.

It is not unusual to hear providers speak about the dramatic affects of cuts in per diems or reimbursement amounts for services to specialized populations.  What is a bigger concern is the unwillingness of so many to band together and let their voices be heard about how their programs and consumers of mental health services are being affected.

I guess what I mean is that failure must never be considered an option.  I speak specifically about care providing businesses who must be open to adapting their business models and changing with the times.  Care is an exciting business that requires attention to detail and person centeredness.  WELCOME TO ACN

Providers of community based care, from group living (such as adult foster care ) to private duty home care companies need to be willing to adjust their business models to serve a wider variety of populations and to specializes in services to specific populations.  Such an adjustment will lead to a more refined marketing approach and a higher level of person centered service.