Cash and counseling and managed long-term care?

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Public Policy
• Gerontology

Background:

• Managed care organizations (MCOs) are increasingly involved in delivering long-term personal assistance services.
• The
• Cash and Counseling
• (C&C) model offers a consumer-directed approach to personal assistance, shifting decision-making power to the individual.
• Understanding MCOs' interest in C&C is crucial for integrating managed care with community-based long-term services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of interest among MCOs in developing or participating in C&C programs.
• To identify organizational characteristics and factors that predict MCOs' willingness to consider C&C options.
• To explore MCOs' perceived benefits and concerns regarding C&C services.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to a sample of MCOs.
• Data collected included organizational characteristics and interest levels in C&C options.
• Statistical analysis was used to identify predictors of MCO willingness to consider C&C.

Main Results:

• Forty-five percent of surveyed MCOs expressed interest in C&C options for some or all clients.
• MCOs with larger organizational size, those not exclusively serving the elderly, and non-PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) organizations were more likely to consider C&C.
• Specific experience with consumer-directed care did not significantly influence interest.

Conclusions:

• A notable proportion of MCOs are open to exploring C&C programs, indicating potential compatibility between managed care and consumer-directed long-term services.
• Organizational factors play a significant role in MCOs' receptiveness to C&C models.
• Further research is warranted to fully understand the integration of managed care principles with C&C service delivery.