This Month’s Issue Sponsor
UCare Minnesota
UCare Complete: The complete healthcare picture
Individuals with physical
disabilities have health care needs that can be simple or complex.
These needs also can be immediate, requiring specialized and highly
skilled care.
Unfortunately, fee-for-service
health plans can ensnare people in endless red tape while they
try to navigate the health care system. Too many obstacles can
mean unmet needs—and a
diminished quality of life.
That’s why there
is UCare Complete. UCare and AXIS Healthcare created this comprehensive
health plan so that people with physical disabilities can enjoy
quality, coordinated health care. Members also enjoy the support
of a personal and experienced nurse Health Coordinator, who partners
with them to design an individualized care plan.
UCare Complete is offered through a program called Minnesota Disability
Health Options (MnDHO), under the auspices of the Minnesota Department
of Human Services (DHS).
Unlike other plans,
UCare Complete combines the benefits and services of Medical Assistance
(MA), and Medicare Parts A, B, and D (Medicare prescription drug
coverage). It offers health coordination and flexible benefits
to eligible adults—with no monthly premiums. The plan
provides coverage for a range of needed services, including medical
equipment and supplies, adult day care and foster care, a wide range
of home-based services, and more—together in one package. And
it is voluntary, so members may leave the plan whenever they like.
To be eligible for UCare
Complete, a person must:
• Have a certified
primary physical disability.
• Be at least 18 years old and under
age 65.
• Be on Medical Assistance,
with or without the Medicare Parts A and B.
• Live in the UCare Complete service area of Hennepin,
Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, or Scott counties.
Experience is Key to Success
UCare and AXIS are experienced and knowledgeable health care organizations.
UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan offering income-based
Minnesota Health Care Programs, along with Medicare products, to more
than 130,000 Minnesotans in 80 state counties. From offices in Northeast
Minneapolis, UCare contracts with DHS to provide this MnDHO product.
UCare handles the administrative side of UCare Complete, establishing
the provider network, processing enrollments, paying claims, and communicating
with members in many helpful ways.
A joint venture of Courage Center and Sister Kenny Institute, AXIS
Healthcare seeks to provide the right care at the right time in the
right place in the most cost-effective manner, so that persons with
disabilities live healthy lives. For UCare Complete, AXIS conducts
the initial assessment and provides the multi-disciplinary care coordination
for all plan members.
AXIS Team Offers Personal
Care, Attention
AXIS works with each
member to design a personalized plan that promotes independent
living, while building in the right level of support. This skilled
team is each member’s main go-to
source for information and care coordination. AXIS coordinators can
secure timely and appropriate care and services for members. AXIS
also has a nurse on-call 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to help
triage issues that arise at night or on the weekends.
AXIS partners with members to coordinate all health care services,
including acute care, mental health, transportation services, home
health care, home-delivered meals, and chore services. They also focus
on preventive care, and engage members to actively maintain positive
health. AXIS staff also can support members in meeting their housing,
vocational, educational, social services, and other needs such as MA
paperwork. They facilitate referrals for services, schedule clinic
appointments, and arrange transportation.
UCare’s Member
Services staff also is available to answer member questions about
coverage, claims processing, and other administrative and information
details.
Provider Network is Deep,
Experienced
The network of UCare
Complete providers was created using input from people with disabilities.
It includes medical specialists, primary care physicians, dentists,
and personal care attendants/assistants with the leading providers
and care systems across the Greater Twin Cities area. ![]()
To learn more about
the advantages of membership in UCare Complete, contact UCare at
612-676-3554, or 1-800-707-1711 (toll free). TTY: 612-676-6810
or 1-800-688-2534 (toll free), 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Or, visit www.ucare.org
