Beverly Roberts, Director
SPECIAL HEALTH CARE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- May, 2010: Medicaid has set up a new process for Medicaid beneficiaries who are incontinent and need diapers. Medicaid now requires a prior authorization process, with a mail-in (not a fax) of the request. Caregivers should initiate the request for diapers early to avoid running out of this essential supply (turnaround from when the Medicaid office receives the paperwork should be no more than 3 days). If a problem is encountered receiving this medically necessary supply and an emergency intervention is required, caregivers should contact the Medicaid Assistance Customer Center (MACC) that serves their county and speak to the Director.
The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Program promotes quality health care for people with developmental disabilities through
- strong advocacy on statewide committees assigned to make recommendations on health care for people with developmental disabilities
- presentations on managed care and women's health issues to large or small groups of families, staff and consumers
- information and referral services to families, staff and consumers on how people with disabilities should access health care services from the current health care system
- publication of Healthy Times, a medical newsletter for health care professionals and caregivers
- major initiatives with regard to (1) Medicaid Managed Care for People with Disabilities and (2) Medicare Part D for Dual-eligibles
LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH
The Arc of New Jersey and its Mainstreaming Medical Care Program have developed an initiative called Let's Talk About Health, which is a comprehensive effort to develop educational programs and materials that address health care issues of people with developmental disabilities in accesible formats. Projects to date include the following:
Women's Health
Diabetes Prevention and Management
Health Screening and Risk Reduction for Breast, Colon and Prostate Cancer
ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON MEDICAL CARE FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Each spring, The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care program sponsors a day-long conference on health care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Email us to be added to our mailing list so that you automatically receive the conference brochure when it is mailed each spring. You will also receive Healthy Times, our bi-annual newsletter.
MEDICAID MANAGED CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
The Mainstreaming Medical Care Program has been a strong and effective advocate for the development of safeguards in the State's plans for Medicaid managed care for SSI beneficiaries (including persons with developmental disabilities), referred to as New Jersey FamilyCare.
Individuals with developmental disabilities who receive Medicaid are required to enroll in a Medicaid HMO. Dual-eligibles (receiving both Medicaid and Medicare) are not required to enroll in an HMO, but they may enroll on a voluntary basis.
See our Medicaid, Medicare and Dual-eligibles Issues page for more information.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT
The Women's Health Project was initiated in 1992 to promote awareness of women's health issues for women with developmental disabilities. Based on the theme, Let's Talk About Health: What Every Woman Should Know, the Women's Health Project has developed a short, educational film and workbook to empower women with the knowledge of how they can be involved in their own health care, what services are available, why it is necessary to use them, and how best to utilize them. These materials also serve as an important teaching tool for parents, educators and providers. Download the order form, or contact Helen Rivera at 732.246.2525, x35.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION FORM FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
According to the American College of Emergency Physicians' (ACEP) website, "children with chronic medical conditions are the most rapidly growing group of children under age 18 coming to emergency departments. When children with special health care needs receive emergency care, their underlying conditions can place them at special risk for negative health consequences, making medical information about their conditions especially important." ACEP reports that nationally, 20 million children have some type of long-standing medical condition, and this population accounts for up to 24% of all emergency room visits.
ACEP, together with The American Academy of Pediatrics, has prepared a two-page Emergency Information Form for Children with Special Needs. In an emergency situation, it is essential that the emergency room physician has immediate access to the child's medical history. Without this information, children with special health care needs are at risk of delayed treatment, unnecessary tests, and sometimes, serious medical errors. This form will be of interest to parents, school personnel, day care programs, physicians, nurses and health maintenance organizations (HMOs); and although the form was developed for children with special health care needs, it will also be useful for adults with developmental disabilities.