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Senior citizens with physical disabilities may get more opportunities to remain in their homes instead of going into hospice care under a new program starting in the new year.
There will also be a presentation concerning Community HealthChoices held at the South Williamsport Riverwalk Senior Center bringing information to seniors at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 11. It is open to the public and is there for anyone to ask questions about the program to learn more. Community HealthChoices is a collaboration between the state Department of Human Services and Gov. Tom Wolf's office.
"We are going to be meeting with the seniors at the Senior Center for a presentation with information about Community HealthChoices," Kait Gillis Hanna, vice president of Mendoza group, a marketing group located in Newtown Square, said.
"If they are eligible for the program, we will show them where they can enroll and be there to answer any questions they might have."
Those who are 21 years or older and are in need of long term care, are eligible for medicare, or are dual-eligible -- those who are both over 21 and have medicare, will have the opportunity to apply and use this program if and when the applicant is approved.
Community HealthChoices offers a variety of services to those who are dual eligible but also to those who just meet one of the three criteria.
For dual eligible participants, any physical health service that is not already covered by the participant's medicare plan will be covered this may include hospital care, physical therapy, doctor's visits, etc. In this case medicare is the primary service and CHC will take care of what is not covered according to Kevin Hancock, deputy secretary for the Office of Long Term Living at DHS.
Other services are covered for those who do not have medicare coverage like nursing services and home care where CHC will be the primary service, not medicare.
CHC also will help participants with home care with personal attendant care workers and certain types of therapies.
"Our number one goal is to help people who have long term care needs stay in their homes and communities," Hancock said.
"CHC should provide increased opportunities for older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities to remain in their homes and increase their quality of life," Jean Marie Sullivan, STEP office of aging director, said.
In the program there are also three different types of manage care selections for applicants and participants to choose from. They are Amerihealth Caritas, PA Health and Wellness and UPMC Community HealthChoices. Each has similar requirements but are provided to the applicant differently. Hancock suggests that those who are interested in the program speak to their independent enrollment broker.
After the program is fully implemented, there will be around 45,000 users in the program according to Hancock.
"We are really excited about the program and it's imperative that people know about the changes," Hanna said.
"CHC will provide a vast array of physical and behavioral health services to dual eligible participants," Sullivan said. "STEP Office of Aging will continue to provide services to dually eligible individuals that do not qualify for Medicaid long-term services and supports under Community Health Choices. These individuals will receive their Medicaid healthcare services through CHC and their long-term services and supports through the Office of Aging."
Sullivan added that she remains "confident" in the program as changes are being made in regards to eligibility and services.
"Overall I am confident that CHC will strengthen our community, and allow all individuals to age in place with the assistance they need to live full productive lives," she said.