Initiative Description
Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff collaborated with Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) staff on the Going Home Senior Transition Project. This project was a joint effort to increase access to home modifications and a wider range of durable medical equipment (DME) from managed care organizations whose members were transitioning from a nursing facility to their homes in the community. ATK and ADRC staff met to discuss specific cases and identified shared strategies on how to approach respective care coordinators for eligible seniors. ATK staff requested assistance from the transition specialist at KS Department on Aging and Disability Services including willingness to file appeals or grievances to move the process forward when necessary.
Lessons Learned/Replication
Initial results have shown some success with managed care organization staff approving an increased number of bariatric DME devices and improving response time in meeting members' needs related to transition from a nursing home to community living. Additional data will be gathered as more collaboration occurs.