Fostering A Healthy Work Relationship
By Frank Ochoa
Never make assumptions. There is no such thing as a dumb question! Find the courage to ask questions and to express yourself. Communicate as clearly as possible to avoid misunderstandings or emotional roller coasters. Assumptions will cause trouble; people cannot read minds. Always be sure to express yourself in a clear and respectful manner
By following these simple guidelines,
you can count on having successful, long-term working relationships. And remember: A simple “Thank You” goes a long way.
REMINDER! Get Paid On Time
By Ross Graham
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Care Providers must be paid ON TIME for 35 hours or more each month, or risk losing their medical insurance benefits.
When new overtime rules start on January 1, 2015, there will be changes regarding deadlines for submitting timesheets. More information will be available when these changes occur.
For an application for medical benefits or for more information, please call Public Authority Benefits at (408) 350-3290.
IHSS Fraud ALERT
By Ross Graham
Please be careful: Providers and Recipients must follow the IHSS program rules. Law enforcement is watching.
Recently, another case of IHSS fraud was prosecuted in Santa Clara County. The individual involved now has a criminal conviction, is barred from the IHSS program, and has incurred other court payments and penalties.
The rules of the IHSS program are clearly stated in the orientation documents signed by In-Home Care Providers. Please ask any questions before signing your documents, and be aware of the rules as they apply to you.
Protect the IHSS program: if you know about suspicious activities involving IHSS providers or consumers, please report them on the “Stop Medi-Cal Fraud” hotline: (800) 822-6222.
Your Medi-Cal is Changing
Changes to Medi-Cal may affect you, whether you have just Medi-Cal, or both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Making Changes to Your IHSS Care Provider
By Fran Kiernan & Monica Macer
- If your new IP has never worked for IHSS before, they will need to go through the state mandated enrollment process. To begin this process, refer your new IP to the enrollment website: www.ihss.pascc. org. For questions about the enrollment process, please contact Public Authority Services Enrollment at (408) 350-3252.
- Contact your IHSS social worker directly or call IHSS at (408) 792-1600 to request a “Provider Changes Packet.” This packet includes forms to add a care provider to your case, including the Recipient Designation of Provider form (SOC 426A), and the Provider Change form.
- The main IHSS number may have long wait times, as they handle a large work load. You can minimize further wait time by having your IHSS case number ready, and by being prepared with your reason for calling (whether you need to add or change care providers.)
- Keep a copy of any forms for you and your IP. The SOC 426A form comes in carbon copy triplicate: white, yellow and pink. Mail the top white copy to IHSS, keep the yellow copy for yourself, and give the pink copy to your provider. This way all parties have records of information provided to IHSS IHSS can take up to four weeks to process Provider Change
forms. To create a seamless transfer of providers, make Provider Change requests in advance when possible. - If you are having trouble finding a new care provider, you may contact the Public Authority Registry for assistance at (408) 350-3251.
Overtime Regulations: Important Timesheet Training
By Mary Tinker
Prior to December 1, 2014, the State of California will mail a detailed notification letter to all In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) consumers and providers. This letter explains the new rules and regulations for IHSS, as well as an explanation of hours allotted per recipient per week.
Because this is a very complex change for IHSS, it is very important to review and understand the new rules
Failure to comply may result in providers losing their employment eligibility with IHSS. A limited number of violations may result in termination from the IHSS program.
The County, Public Authority and the Union will be partnering to provide training sessions to help consumers and providers understand the changes. Please watch your mail for specific dates, times, and locations, and plan to attend these important
timesheet trainings.
Be sure to read and understand all the notices you get from the State and the County IHSS Program.
Public Authority Services by Sourcewise www.pascc.org
Phone: (408) 350-3206 Fax: (408) 296-8340 E-mail: info@pascc.org
Important Phone Numbers
Public Authority Services by Sourcewise
Information concerning provider benefits, Eco/ Clipper Pass, training or other services of the Public Authority.
(408) 350-3206
Public Authority Services Registry
Call the Registry, if you need help finding an IHSS
care provider.
(408) 350-3251
IHSS Social Services
Information regarding authorized hours and
services or to speak with a social worker.
(408) 792-1600
IHSS Payroll
Call for any payroll or timesheet matters.
(408) 792-1600
UNION SEIU Local 521
Representing providers. Call for information about
the Union and payroll deductions.
(408) 678-3300
Adult Protective Services
24-hour Hotline. Call for help, if you or
someone you know suspect abuse of a senior
or dependent adult.
(408) 975-4900
(800) 414-2002
Sourcewise Information & Awareness
Information on available services in
Santa Clara County.
(408) 350-3200,
option 1
Members of the Public Authority Advisory Board
Ellen Rollins
Deane Denney
JoAnn Disbrow
Richard Rangel
Senon Hernandez
Robert Stroughter
Terri Possley
(Ex-Officio Member)
Theresa Wright
Dennis Schneider
Janie Whiteford,
President/Chair
Your Medi-Cal is Changing in Santa Clara County Su Medi-Cal está cambiando en el condado de Santa Clara Medi-Cal của bạn đang thay đổi tại Santa Clara County
You may have received a blue envelope with an important notice from the State of California. Or you may soon receive a notice.
When you get a notice, be sure to read it. The notices tell you about decisions you need to make.
If you have Medi-Cal but not Medicare, you must choose a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan to continue receiving your Medi-Cal benefits. If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, you may be able to choose a new optional program called Cal MediConnect, which combines your Medi-Cal and Medicare benefits into one plan. You may also be eligible to join PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) instead of Cal MediConnect. If you decide not to join Cal MediConnect or PACE, you can choose to keep your Medicare plan the same as it is now, but you must still choose a Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan to continue receiving Medi-Cal benefits
If you do not respond to the letter and have Medi-Cal only, the State will select a Medi-Cal Managed Care plan for you. If you do not respond to the letter and you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, you will automatically be enrolled in a Cal MediConnect plan. For more information, call the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program to speak with a counselor –(800) 434-0222, or visit www.sccduals.com or www.calduals.com. To learn more about PACE or to find out if you’re eligible, contact On Lok Lifeways at (888) 886-6565 or visit www.onlok.org.
DO NOT call IHSS or your IHSS social worker –
they DO NOT have Medi-Cal information.
Es posible que haya recibido un sobre azul con un aviso importante del Estado de California. O bien, puede ser que pronto reciba un aviso.
Cuando reciba un aviso, asegúrese de leerlo. Los avisos le informan sobre las decisiones que debe tomar.
Si usted tiene Medi-Cal pero no tiene Medicare, debe elegir un Plan de salud de Medi-Cal para continuar recibiendo sus
beneficios de Medi-Cal. Si tiene Medicare y Medi-Cal, es posible que pueda elegir un nuevo programa opcional que
se llama Cal MediConnect, que combina sus beneficios de Medi-Cal y Medicare en un plan. Usted también puede ser
elegible para inscribirse a PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) en lugar de Cal MediConnect. Si decide
no unirse a Cal MediConnect o PACE, puede elegir mantener su plan Medicare igual que hasta ahora, pero todavía
debe elegir un Plan de salud de Medi-Cal para
continuar recibiendo los beneficios de Medi-Cal
Si no responde a la carta y tiene solo Medi-Cal, el estado seleccionará un plan de atención administrada de Medi-Cal
para usted. Si no responde a la carta y tiene tanto Medicare como Medi-Cal, se le inscribirá automáticamente en un plan
Cal MediConnect. Para obtener más información, llame al Programa de Asesoría y defensoría del seguro médico para
hablar con un asesor –(800) 434-0222, o visite www.sccduals.com o www.calduals.com. Para conocer más sobre PACE
o para averiguar si es elegible, comuníquese con On Lok Lifeways al (888) 886-6565 o visite www.onlok.org.
NO llame a IHSS ni a su trabajador social de IHSS –
ellos NO tienen información sobre Medi-Cal.
Quý vị có thể đã nhận được một phong bì màu xanh trong đó có thông báo
quan trọng của Tiểu Bang California. Hoặc chẳng bao lâu nữa quý vị sẽ nhận
được một thông báo.
Khi nhận được, quý vị nhớ đọc thông báo này.
Thông báo này cho biết về các quyết định mà quý vị cần thực hiện.
Nếu quý vị có Medi-Cal mà không có Medicare, quý vị phải chọn một Chương Trình Chăm Sóc Có Quản Lý của Medi-Cal
(Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan) để tiếp tục nhận các quyền lợi Medi-Cal của quý vị. Nếu quý vị có cả Medicare và Medi-Cal,
quý vị có thể chọn một chương trình tùy chọn mới được gọi là Cal MediConnect, chương trình này kết hợp các quyền lợi
Medi-Cal và Medicare của quý vị vào một chương trình. Quý vị cũng có thể hội đủ điều kiện để gia nhập PACE (Chương
Trình Chăm Sóc Toàn diện cho Người Già – Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) thay vì Cal MediConnect. Nếu quý
vị quyết định không gia nhập Cal MediConnect hoặc PACE, quý vị có thể muốn giữ lại chương trình Medicare giống như
bây giờ, nhưng quý vị vẫn phải chọn một Chương Trình Chăm Sóc Có Quản Lý của Medi-Cal để tiếp tục hưởng các quyền
lợi của Medi-Cal.
Nếu quý vị không trả lời thư và chỉ có Medi-Cal mà thôi, Tiểu Bang sẽ chọn một chương trình Chăm Sóc có Quản
Lý của Medi-Cal cho quý vị. Nếu quý vị không trả lời thư và quý vị có cả Medicare và Medi-Cal, quý vị sẽ được tự động ghi
danh vào một chương trình của Cal MediConnect. Để biết thêm thông tin, xin gọi Chương Trình Tư Vấn & Biện Hộ Bảo Hiểm
Sức Khỏe (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) để nói chuyện với một số vấn – tại số (800) 434-0222, hoặc
đến www.sccduals.com hoặc www.calduals.com. Để tìm hiểu thêm về PACE hoặc để tìm hiểu xem quý vị có hội đủ điều kiện
hay không, hãy liên lạc với On Lok Lifeways tại số (888) 886-6565 hoặc đến www.onlok.org.
ĐỪNG gọi IHSS hoặc nhân viên xã hội IHSS của quý vị –
họ KHÔNG có thông tin về Medi-Cal.