UCare programs complete the health care picture

Individuals with physical disabilities have health care needs that can be simple, complex, and immediate, often requiring specialized and highly skilled care. And when the physical disabilities are accompanied by mental health issues or developmental disabilities, the stakes can be even higher.

Fortunately, there are two health plans for people with disabilities that eliminate obstacles often posed by fee-for-service health plans: UCare Complete in the metro area, and the new UCare Connect in 34 Greater Minnesota counties.

UCare Complete

UCare Complete is a comprehensive health plan for people with physical disabilities. It was created by UCare and AXIS Healthcare to help this population enjoy quality, coordinated health care. It is offered through a program called Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO), under the auspices of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Enrollment is voluntary.

Unlike other plans, UCare Complete combines the benefits and services of Medical Assistance, and Medicare Parts A, B, and D (Medicare prescription drug coverage). It offers health coordination and flexible benefits to eligible adults—with no monthly premiums. The plan provides coverage for a range of needed services, including medical equipment and supplies, adult day care and foster care, a wide range of home-based services, and more—together in one package.

To be eligible for UCare Complete, a person must:

• Have a certified primary physical disability.

• Be at least 18 years old and under age 65.

• Be on Medical Assistance, with or without Medicare Parts A and B.

• Reside in Hennepin, Ram-sey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, or Scott counties.

UCare and AXIS are experienced and knowledgeable health care organizations. UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan offering income-based Minnesota Health Care Programs, along with Medicare products, to more than 145,000 Minnesotans in every county. UCare handles the administrative side of UCare Complete, establishing the provider network, processing enrollments, paying claims, and communicating with members in many helpful ways. AXIS professionals conduct the initial assessment and provide the multi-disciplinary care coordination for all plan members. Personalized plans are developed to promote independent living, while building in the tight level of support. AXIS also has round-the-clock, on-call nurses to help triage issues that arise.

UCare Complete provider network was created using input from people with disabilities. It includes medical specialists, primary care physicians, dentists, and personal care attendants/assistants with the leading providers and care systems across the Greater Twin Cities area.

UCare Connect

Introduced in January 2008, UCare Connect is an innovative and voluntary plan designed expressly for adult Minnesotans in 34 Greater Minnesota counties who have physical or developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness. The innovative plan offers a personal, coordinated, and case management approach that contributes significantly to the health and well-being of its members.

It’s also a new type of Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan that serves people who have been certified as having a disability, mental illness, or developmental disability. DHS classifies UCare Connect as a Special Needs BasicCare plan for Medicaid recipients in MN.

UCare Connect provides health care services focused on prevention, disease management, and management of chronic care needs to Minnesotans who:

• Are 18-64 years of age.

• Receive Medical Assistance without Medicare, or with Medicare Pans A and B.

• Have a certified physical disability or mental illness, or a developmental disability.

• Reside in Benton, Blue Earth, Carlton, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood, Faribault, Fillmore, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Pane, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Sherburne. Steams, St. Louis, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, or Yellow Medicine County.

UCare partners with many of the 34 counties in the plan’s service area to provide increased coordination of health care and social service programs to UCare Connect members. UCare provides training and consultation in the form of clinical, administrative, and operational support, including utilization management. UCare and the counties work together to help inform and empower members to maximize available resources, while also making connections that will lead to sustained improvements in members’ health, UCare Connect members can take advantage of UCare’s See-A-Dentist Guarantee to schedule routine dental appointments within 30 days, and also can use the UCare Tooth Care mobile dental unit when it’s in their area. And there are no copays for office visits.

UCare Connect members enjoy care from the same, extensive provider network serving the approximately 45,000 member of UCare’s UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. To learn more about membership in UCare Complete or UCare Connect, contact UCare at 612-676-3554, or 1-800-707-1711 (toll free). TTY: 612-676-6810 or 1-800-688-2534 (toll free). Or, visit www.ucare.org/visitors/healthplans.html.

About UCare

UCare, www.ucare.org, is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 145,000 members. UCare partners with health care providers, counties, community organizations, and other member-directed groups to create and deliver innovative health coverage plans for:

• Medicare-eligible individuals throughout Minnesota and in western Wisconsin.

• Individuals and families enrolled in income-based Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as MinnesotaCare and Prepaid Medical Assistance Program.

• Adults with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions.

• Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare.

UCare’s UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan ranked in the top 13 percent of health plans nationwide for outstanding performance. UCare addresses health care disparities and care access issues through its UCare Fund grants and a broad array of community initiatives.