UCare Complete: The complete healthcare picture
Individuals with physical disabilities have health care needs that can be simple or complex. These needs also can be immediate, requiring specialized and highly skilled care.
Unfortunately, fee-for-service health plans can ensnare people in endless red tape while they try to navigate the health care system. Too many obstacles can mean unmet needs—and a diminished quality of life.
That’s why there is UCare Complete. UCare and AXIS Healthcare created this comprehensive health plan so that people with physical disabilities can enjoy quality, coordinated health care. Members also enjoy the support of a personal and experienced nurse Health Coordinator, who partners with them to design an individualized care plan.
UCare Complete is offered through a program called Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO), under the auspices of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
Unlike other plans, UCare Complete combines the benefits and services of Medical Assistance (MA), 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. And it is voluntary, so members may leave the plan whenever they like.
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 the Medicare Parts A and B.
• Live in the UCare Complete service area of Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, or Scott counties.
Experience is Key to Success
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 130,000 Minnesotans in 80 state counties. From offices in Northeast Minneapolis, UCare contracts with DHS to provide this MnDHO product. UCare handles the administrative side of UCare Complete, establishing the provider network, processing enrollments, paying claims, and communicating with members in many helpful ways.
A joint venture of Courage Center and Sister Kenny Institute, AXIS Healthcare seeks to provide the right care at the right time in the right place in the most cost-effective manner, so that persons with disabilities live healthy lives. For UCare Complete, AXIS conducts the initial assessment and provides the multi-disciplinary care coordination for all plan members.
AXIS Team Offers Personal Care, Attention
AXIS works with each member to design a personalized plan that promotes independent living, while building in the right level of support. This skilled team is each member’s main go-to source for information and care coordination. AXIS coordinators can secure timely and appropriate care and services for members. AXIS also has a nurse on-call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to help triage issues that arise at night or on the weekends.
AXIS partners with members to coordinate all health care services, including acute care, mental health, transportation services, home health care, home-delivered meals, and chore services. They also focus on preventive care, and engage members to actively maintain positive health. AXIS staff also can support members in meeting their housing, vocational, educational, social services, and other needs such as MA paperwork. They facilitate referrals for services, schedule clinic appointments, and arrange transportation.
UCare’s Member Services staff also is available to answer member questions about coverage, claims processing, and other administrative and information details.
Provider Network is Deep, Experienced
The network of UCare Complete providers 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.
To learn more about the advantages of membership in UCare Complete, contact UCare at 612-676-3554, or 1-800-707-1711 (toll free). TTY: 612-676-6810 or 1-800-688-2534 (toll free), 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Or, visit www.ucare.org
