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1. What is a Long Term Care Consultation?

An in home assessment available through county and tribal agencies to help consumers decide how much service and what kind of services are needed as well as what services are available in your community. This visit is free and available to people at all income levels. Long Term Care consultants can help you:
• Stay in your own home or apartment
• Move from a long term care facility
• Move to foster care or housing with services settings
• Understand your choices in services
• Develop a plan and choose services to meet your needs
• Access programs that help pay for services if you are eligible

2. Who pays for long term care services?

You may pay for some of your services. If you qualify, there are additional funds available through Minnesota Health Care Programs. Medical Assistance, for example may help pay for your nursing home care at a qualified facility.

3. Who pays for services in home or community living settings?

Medical Assistance or the Alternative Care Program may help pay for the care you receive in your home or in other community living settings if you meet what are called “level of care requirements” in addition to financial eligibility requirements. Level of care requirements mean that you must have certain kinds of needs, and need certain kinds of services before Medical Assistance or state-funded programs will pay for your long-term care services.
For people who meet the above requirements, home and community based services are available under several programs such as Alternative Care, Elderly Waiver, and Consumer Alternatives for Disabled Individuals and Brain Injured.

4. What is a Rule 25?

It is a Chemical Use Assessment. A person might need an assessment because of a court order, involvement with child protection, his or her employer is requiring one, or because he or she is seeking treatment for chemical dependency. A Rule 25 is a face-to-face interview with a certified Rule 25 Assessor. It takes about an hour and a half to two hours to complete. If you would like to schedule an appointment right now, click here

5. Can you find housing for people who are homeless? With CD issues? With Mental Illness?

This varies from situation to situation. If you are homeless, it is recommended that you talk with a Mental Health Intake Worker or Chemical Dependency Intake Worker. We are not able to house people who do not have a mental health diagnosis or chemical dependency concerns.

6. Do you need to make an appointment to see a Mental Health Intake Worker?

Not always, but if you make an appointment they will be readily available. You can call 218-824-1140 and ask for Mental Health Intake in order to make an appointment.

7. Why would someone need to be committed?

Because they are a danger to themselves or others due to their mental illness or chemical dependency. Minnesota Statute has clearly defined criteria regarding what constitutes a danger to self or others. The National Alliance on Mental Health has a publication regarding the commitment process which you can view here.

8. What is Rule 79?

Mental Health Case Management for someone with a serious and persistent mental illness. The Department of Human Services website has more information about Rule 79

9. Why do some people receive Rule 79 services and some do not?

You need to meet specific criteria to receive Rule 79 services so not everyone who requests Mental Health Case Management services will receive Rule 79 services. The Department of Human Services website has more information about Rule 79

10. What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal system of health insurance for people over 65 years of age and for certain younger people with disabilities.
The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

• Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care.
• Most people don’t have to pay a premium for Medicare Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while working in the United States. If you don’t automatically get premium-free Part A, you may still be able to enroll, and pay a premium.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

• Helps cover doctors’ and other health care providers’ services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and home health care.
• Helps cover some preventive services.
• Most people pay up to the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium. Note: You may want to get coverage that fills gaps in Original Medicare coverage. You can choose to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private company.

Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage)

• Offers health plan options run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies.

Medicare Advantage Plans are a way to get the benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Most Medicare Advantage Plans cover Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Some Medicare Advantage Plans may include extra benefits for an extra cost.

Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)

• Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
• May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs
• Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies
• Costs and benefits vary by plan

11. What is Managed Care for seniors?

The Minnesota Department of Human Services contracts with Managed Care Organizations (MCO) to deliver health insurance to people on Medical Assistance and Medicare over the age of 65. In Crow Wing County the managed care organizations in contract are: Blue Plus Blue Shield, UCare and Medica. The MCO is the primary health insurance with a Crow Wing County care coordinator.

12. What is MSHO for seniors?

The Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) is a health care program that combines separate health programs and support systems into one health care package. It is for people ages 65 and older who are eligible for Medical Assistance (MA) and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Through a Managed Care Organization, MSHO enrollees are assigned a Crow Wing County care coordinator who will help them get their health care and related support services.

13. What is MSC plus for seniors?

Minnesota Senior Care Plus (MSC Plus) is a health care program for seniors 65 and older who qualify for Medical Assistance (Medicaid). Managed care enrollees who do not choose to enroll in MSHO will be enrolled in MSC or MSC Plus. Minnesota Senior Care enrollees will receive their MA state plan services through their managed care organization (MCO), and are assigned a Crow Wing County care coordinator who will help them get their health care and related support services.

14. I have a question that isn't included in this list.

You can ask your question here