CAPITOL CONNECTION: Finally an audit for Family Care
After almost a year of requests, I am pleased to report that the Legislature's Audit Committee has finally agreed to conduct an extensive review of the state's Family Care program.
Family Care, as you may know, was created in 1999 with the goal of streamlining the varied administrative and funding systems in place at the time for programs that provide services to the elderly and individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities. The intention of the program was to improve the quality of long-term care services, provide individuals with more choices and greater access to services, and deliver those care services in the most cost-effective way possible.
Residents in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet and Fond du Lac counties receive services through the Family Care program. Counties participate in Family Care by offering services through Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), or by providing both ADRC services and offering the Family Care benefit through private Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
While the program has generated some positive results, it has also had its challenges. This can be understood for a new program that attempts to address many different care needs and administers its services and receives its funding support from various levels of government.
Instead of reviewing the program to identify the problems and work to correct them, administrators and political supporters of the program had long rejected the idea of a full audit. I have supported the Family Care program, but I have also been a strong advocate for the audit.
What are we afraid of? This program, like any state program, should be reviewed and scrutinized regularly to ensure that we are providing the best services in the most cost-effective ways possible.
Now that the final scope of the audit has been approved by the Audit Committee, the extensive review of the Family Care program will include:
• A review of program participation, by county;
• A review of program expenditures, by funding source;
• A review of administrative costs;
• An analysis to determine the program's short- and long-term financial solvency;
• An analysis of provider payments, including the process of setting capitation rates for MCOs;
• An analysis of the timeliness of provider payments;
• A review of the role of and funding for MCOs and ADRCs in Family Care;
• A review of program coordination and management, including a review of potential duplication of services;
• A comparison of actual Family Care program costs with budgeted amounts and the costs of providing similar services on a fee-for-service basis; and
• A review of quality care indicators, including a survey of the degree of satisfaction recipients and their family members have had with the availability of program services.
Over the last several months, I have received a lot of input from area citizens who have had the chance to experience the Family Care program, either as a family member or friend of an individual who is receiving services or as an employee at a care facility. This information, as well as any other input, should be considered as the audit moves forward. If you have information to share, please contact my office or the Audit Bureau directly at:
Legislative Audit Bureau
22 E. Mifflin St., Suite 500
Madison, WI 53703
Tel: (608) 266-2818
I anticipate that the audit will start soon and look forward to having good, factual information to use as we begin to deliberate the 2011-13 budget and future plans for Family Care. Again, I was happy to push for this audit and look forward to using the information to make necessary changes and improvements to this important program.
As always, it has been a pleasure communicating with you. Please remember to communicate with me and share your input by calling (920) 457-7367 or visiting my online office at www.leibham.com.
It is an honor representing the residents of the 9th District in the state Senate!
