About Us
Family Care was developed in 2001 and received bi-partisan support under Governor Tommy Thompson to fundamentally change Wisconsin's long term care benefit programs to achieve the outcome that all eligible individuals receive benefits.
Five Wisconsin counties were selected for a pilot test of Family Care. An independent audit found the program demonstrated a high rate of achieving consumer’s desired outcomes and attained savings in State Medicaid funding--much of the savings is due to decreased use of hospital or nursing home care. As of April 1, 2011, Family Care is in 57 of 72 Wisconsin counties.
Family Care serves individuals eligible for Medicaid and otherwise eligible to receive services in a nursing home. Family Care programs take a different approach to providing services, using a nurse and care manager to work with the member to develop a cost-effective care plan designed to keep participants healthy and provide specific, targeted services to support a person’s independence and life goals. These goals could include supports to help a member work, live in their own home or remain active in their community. Services included are: in-home support, residential placement, therapies, and other treatment services. Traditional long-term care services funded through Medicaid focus extensively on institutional care, which may not meet a person’s needs or goals, and is often the most expensive service. While Wisconsin counties have operated the Community Based Medicaid “Waiver” services for years, the funding of these services has been so limited that long waiting lists for services exist in some counties.
Family Care is a regional approach. Once Family Care begins, counties disband their long term care programs, although they will still continue to provide some funding. Counties achieve net savings since their expenses are significantly reduced.
News
Northeast Wisconsin Family Care (NEW FC) was established in October 2010 after four years of planning by Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto , Shawano Counties and the Oneida, Menominee, and Stockbridge-Munsee Tribes to be the designated Family Care organization for Northeast Wisconsin.
NEW FC was moving into its development phase to expand Family Care when Governor Walker announced his budget which included a "pause" in expansion. The budget does allow expansion if the Secretary of the Department of Health Services (DHS) determines expansion would be more cost effective than current legacy waiver programs.
NEW FC contracted an actuarial firm to analyze data provided by DHS to determine individual and aggregate costs. These costs were compared to actual Family Care costs; overall, NEW FC would be cost effective.
NEW FC expects that it will be able to reduce costs through economies of scale, reduction in the wide variation of current payment to providers for the same services, application of consistent service coordination and alignment of service plans to member identified desired outcomes.
For the latest information, please continue to visit our web site: www.northeastwisconsinfamilycare.com . This web site also contains a vehicle for commenting or asking questions.
Services
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Please see www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare