Adults in Greater Minnesota
who have physical or developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness,
now have a health plan designed just for them: UCare Connect.
UCare Connect is a new,
Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan that debuted January 1, 2008.
UCare created it with input from UCare’s
Disability Advisory Committee members, disability community advocates
and health care providers, among others. UCare also drew on experience
gained through its two Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO)
plans for people with disabilities: UCare Complete for people with
physical disabilities, and Partners Choice Network for adults with
developmental disabilities.
“UCare Connect offers choices to a population that has not had
the opportunity to choose many aspects of their health care,” said
UCare’s Archie Eliason, who enrolls and guides new members through
this voluntary plan and the two MnDHO offerings. “With UCare
Connect, we are extending our expertise and coverage to people who
have historically gone without timely medical care that addresses
all their health needs.
“This plan places members at the center of their care,” Eliason
continued. “It treats every member as a whole person. Its coordinated
care approach helps adults with physical, developmental, and/or mental
health disabilities take control of their health and improve their
quality of life. Because it connects community resources with health
care providers, members will get needed care and support.”
As a nonprofit, independent
health plan, UCare is committed to developing innovative ways to
help underserved populations receive quality health care. UCare
Connect follows that edict – and
Eliason said several principles guided its development.
“UCare Connect is a very intentional plan,” he explained. “We
believe people with disabilities should have access to the same medical
and dental treatments as people without disabilities. So we developed
the plan to promote, nurture, and honor relationships that support
members’ health.”
The plan strives to
involve members in decisions about their own care. It offers care
coordination, member involvement in health decisions, and clear
information to ensure that members can evaluate services. “It
also offers tremendous flexibility, values culturally relevant communication,
and provides appropriate health and safety protections for members,” Eliason
said.
Members of this plan enjoy:
• Dedicated providers who understand and know how to treat unique
needs. Members can receive care from the same comprehensive, statewide
network of physicians, clinics, care systems and specialists that serves
UCare’s UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan.
• Round-the-clock access to Health Connection nurses
• Dental care. Members can take advantage of UCare’s unique
See-A-Dentist Guarantee to schedule appointments. They receive a routine
dental appointment within 30 days, or UCare sends them a dental care
kit at no cost. And UCare continues to work with members to schedule
their dental session, which can be held aboard UCare Tooth Care, UCare’s
mobile dental unit, when it’s nearby.
• Focused health services to address prevention, disease management
and chronic care needs
• No co-pays for office visits
• Prescription drug coverage. Members with Medicare receive Medicare
prescription drug coverage (known as Medicare Part D). Members
without Medicare also receive prescription drug coverage through UCare Connect.
• Coordinated care that helps members stay connected with community
resources and health care providers who help them get needed care
and support.
UCare Connect is available to Minnesotans who have a certified disability
or developmental disability; are eligible for Medical Assistance without
Medicare, or with both Medicare Parts A and B; and are at least 18
years old and under age 65. These individuals also must reside in the
34-county UCare Connect service area in Greater Minnesota.* ![]()
For more info, visit www.ucare.org/ Archie Eliason can be reached at aeliason@ucare.org or by calling
612-676-3542.
*Counties in the UCare
service area: Benton, Blue Earth, Carlton, Chippewa, Chisago, Cottonwood,
Faribault, Fillmore, Houston, Isanti, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui
Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray,
Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Redwood, Rice, Rock, Sherburne,
Stearns, St. Louis, Watonwan, Winona, Wright, or Yellow Medicine
counties.
