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LeoLeo Asked September 2021

Long shot: Can anyone recommend a good Managed Long Term Care plan and corresponding home care agency for a Medicaid-covered client in NYC?

Have had disappointing experience with current MLTC plan, and especially with the agency that provides the aides: poor/inconsistent communication and follow through. Aides vary widely in terms of experience, service orientation, commitment. Perhaps most of the NYC agencies have overworked and poorly-trained staff, but there must be SOME good ones! Any recommendations greatly appreciated.

JoAnn29 Sep 2021
I don't think you can purchase a Longterm plan once you actually need it. Its purchased years before with premiums paid along the way. Like any insurance you get, the older you are when signing up, the higher the premium. I would also think, they contract with agencies near the client. You cannot blame them if the agency being used is not up to par. They are just paying the bills. You need to complain to the agency.
LeoLeo Sep 2021
I'm not referring to private LTC *insurance* - Community (home care) Medicaid benefits in NYS are administered through Managed Long Term Care plans - care providers like VNS Choice NY, who provide the client with various services, including home health aides, through their affiliated providers/agencies. We're limited to the agencies my mother's LTC plan is affiliated with, but if I could identify a good agency, perhaps we'd consider switching to a LTC plan that offers them as an option.
BarbBrooklyn Sep 2021
Have you contacted the Area Agency on Aging for the client's area?

Does VNS or Metropolitan Health Services operate in the area?

Any chance she is eligible for hospice?

Another resource:
https://www.elderplan.org/homefirst/?gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjw18WKBhCUARIsAFiW7JyMbonqhJeYnirMQLY_eDfiasVCkBeHte8GosaTuld3ZZ9LU7VoxbEaAujqEALw_wcB
LeoLeo Sep 2021
We're using VNS Choice now - they're not a disaster, but not particularly helpful and have screwed up a few things. I can live with them, the main thing is to find a good agency. I finally got them to give me names of some alternatives, but it's difficult to find enough information online about any of the agencies to make any kind of reasonable judgement...

Hospice is only for the terminally ill, correct?

I'll look into the resources you suggested. Thanks.

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LeoLeo Sep 2021
Thanks for responding. The client is in Upper Manhattan, but I don't think the borough that the agency's offices are based in matters much, as long as they are professional, and have well-trained, attentive aides able to work in Manhattan.

BarbBrooklyn Sep 2021
Leo, welcome to the forum!!

What borough? What part of what borough?

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