Implementing Family
Care: Final Process Evaluation Report Released
The Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) released the third
"Implementation Process Evaluation" of Family Care in December
2002. This report was prepared by The Lewin Group, a national consulting
and research firm that was retained by LAB to fulfill a mandate in the
legislation that created Family Care, which required an independent
evaluation of the program. This report focuses on program activities
through June 2002, including the achievement of the end of waiting lists
for community long-term care in the CMO counties.
The report describes many of the changes over the past
year as the resource centers and CMOs moved into a "business as
usual" mode. The successful implementation of the enrollment
consultant is noted, as is the CMOs’ expanding business expertise.
"The Resource Centers have been operating for nearly four years and
have emerged as a successful model of centralized information and
assistance," the Lewin Group reports. "Individuals in need of
long-term care services can access a wealth of information through the
Resource Centers."
In addition, "the presence … of the guaranteed
entitlement (to community long-term care) in Fond du Lac, La Crosse,
Milwaukee, Portage and Richland has meant the elimination of wait lists
and the ability to serve even more individuals. For many services, the
CMOs have successfully expanded the number of providers available and also
recruited new providers for services not previously available under the
Medicaid program (e.g., some forms of transportation)."
The Lewin Group highlights issues surrounding definitions
and expectations regarding the goal of "choice" as one of
leading challenges still facing Family Care. "Family Care’s
person-centered planning approach needs to weigh ensuring health, safety
and accountability against allowing consumers choice in determining when,
where, how and from whom they prefer to receive services…(and) …must
also balance individual desires with available resources and desired
outcomes."
The report credits the resource centers with providing
"a foundation for allowing individuals of all income levels to make
informed choices." However, the CMOs "must struggle with some of
the more delicate balancing between individual’s preferences, safety
considerations and cost." The authors go on to note, "The
application of choice has played out in different ways. In some cases, the
emphasis on choice has meant creative solutions that meet the goals of the
member and the CMO." The report cites "the fact that some
providers have begun to shift their marketing focus directly to the
consumer, rather than, as in the past, the county contracting
authority" as evidence of "an increased role for
consumers."
Another report addressing the Family Care outcomes and
cost-effectiveness is scheduled for release in March 2003.
The Lewin Group’s progress implementation reports are
available on the Legislative Audit Bureau’s web site at: www.legis.state.wi.us/lab/Reports/02-0FamilyCare.htm.
You may also contact the Legislative Audit Bureau at (608) 266-2818 to
request a copy.
Last Revised: October 24, 2008 |
