Question: What is Care Design NY doing in regard to providing assurances to vulnerable participants and families in the community who may be impacted by the  COVID-19 challenges. The word is out that Care Design NY has told CMs that there will be no face-to-face interactions or travel. Hysteria is beginning from those who feel isolated and vulnerable. 

A: Care Design NY is committed to staying in close communication with families and people we support through this public health emergency. We are committed to thorough and ongoing contact with all Care Design NY members (including Basic). Care Managers are following a carefully created assessment protocol and script to ensure Care Mangers screen for risk factors and also to coordinate supports and services. If there are issues identified, these will be elevated immediately to supervisors and leadership to respond quickly.

Question: Where and to whom will individuals and family support turn to if they need help? For example, if their critical support staff doesn't show up, they need supplies or food or require transport to doctors, etc.?

A: The person should call their Care Manager or the Supervisor and it will be addressed. We created a task force with our Provider Relations Dept. to work on this exact issue and will be pushing out resources to families to ensure they are safe and have access to needed supplies etc. We are reviewing the ever -changing situation daily.

Question: Do care managers have a list of their participants who are particularly health compromised and vulnerable? What is being done to reach out to individuals regarding assurances that they will still be supported (especially people who have signed onto the "health home" service)?

A: We have data from DDP-2s and information from Medisked that gives us an initial area of focus for calls to families and information for Leadership to be continuously apprised. Care Managers have also been instructed to contact individuals in their care so this information can be reviewed and updated.

Question: Could there be arrangements for Care Managers to speak or FaceTime more frequently with individuals?

A: We are following the New York State Department of Health Guidance temporarily waiving face-to-face meetings for care coordination/health homes. We can use secure video technology for the meeting, so that we can visually see each other while still maintaining social distancing. If you have access to an I-phone or an Android phone we can see each other visually using an app called Microsoft TEAMs or through FaceTime on an I-phone or I-pad. However, we can also conduct the meeting by conference call if you prefer or the video options are not possible.

Question: What does an individual do if there Direct Support Professional who can’t work and care for them?

A: We are working with OPWDD, other government agencies, provider agencies and others on these emergency situations. As stated above, we will identify those most at risk of this situation and will coordinate our interventions to ensure individuals are safe and have the proper care.

Question: Are any of the Day Supports closing? How will we be notified of all these changes? 

A: Here is the message from OPWDD regarding day program closures:

https://opwdd.ny.gov/news/message-opwdd-commissioner-kastner-regarding-day-program-services

Question: Will Life Plans and I AM Assessments be conducted?

A: We have received guidance from OPWDD that all Life Plan due dates will be extended effective as of March 7th. This means the current Life Plan remains in effect even past the normal due date. For new enrollees, the initial Life Plan due date will also be extended. This includes the I AM Assessment. Life Plans due prior to March 7^th still need to be completed and the I AM assessment reviewed as part of the annual review. The purpose of this extension is to allow care managers to focus on the health and safety of everyone served by Care Design NY in this time of crisis. Care Managers will be reaching out to families to ensure health and safety as their primary mission at the current time.