PONY'S PLIGHT Page 8
Volume 29, Number 9
September 10, 2018
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Incontinence needs no longer at risk; state drops program
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TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."
Minnesotans with disabilities who rely on incontinence products can continue to choose items that best meet their needs. A controversial medical supply program that was to start September 1 was dropped by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The decision to drop the Medicaid Preferred Incontinence Products Program was made just before a temporary restraining order was issued against the program August 24. The Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services and Supplies (MAMES) took DHS and DHS Commissioner Emily Johnson Piper to court to stop the program. MAMES’ intent was to prevent DHS from granting bids to a supplier or suppliers. A hearing was held before Ramsey County District Court Judge Leonardo Castro August 16 in St. Paul, with more than two dozen people looking on. After listening to both sides and asking a number of procedural and technical questions about the proposed state program, how the program was created and the program’s potential impacts, Castro took the matter under advisement before issuing his ruling. “DHS decided to pull back the request for proposals before the court acted,” Piper said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring that Medicaid enrollees receive high-quality products and that state funds are used responsibly as we comply with the legislative mandate to purchase incontinence products in bulk.” While there is satisfaction with the outcome, medical supply companies and disability advocates around Minnesota are still unhappy with the entire process. “MAMES members are grateful that the court issued the injunction, but are extremely frustrated that the (Department of Human Services) forced the provider and disability communities to spend so much time, energy and money fighting this ill-conceived program,” said Tom Jamison, president of Lake Superior Medical Equipment, Inc. in Duluth. Jamison chairs the MAMES Legislative Committee. Castro’s August 24 ruling put a halt to the program until certain conditions were met. Those included asking DHS to amend the provider program rate to be consistent with state rules, and for the state to initiate rule-making procedures to allow for a modified payment rate to product providers. But the DHS decision puts an end to a controversy that began in 2017. That’s when the Minnesota Legislature made a last-minute INCONTINENCE To page 4
HANDI MEDICAL SUPPLY
by Jane McClure
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
NEWS DIGEST
Shann and Mary Benhardus
Handi Medical is going strong by Jan Willms Thirty years ago Mary Miller was studying nursing and working as a personal care assistant to Darcy Pohland, a Twin Cities reporter who had broken her neck in a diving accident. When Miller called for medical supplies, she would often have to wait two weeks for delivery. When a wheelchair needed repair, she was told it would be a month-long wait. Upset at the length of time it took for services and products to be delivered, Miller thought there had to be a better way. “If you think you can do it better, do
it yourself,” her grandfather told her. He loaned her $15,000 to start Handi Medical Supply in Golden Valley. That business has expanded to 110 employees, a central location at 2505 University Ave. W., St. Paul and a Mankato branch. But the mission to enrich lives is the same one Mary (Miller) Benhardus began with. She and her husband Shann co-own the medical supply company that has endured and prospered over the past three decades. Handi hasn’t forgotten its roots, as three
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Bike lanes curb access Page 4 Deaf clubs' history is book theme Page 2 Loans are available Page 5 There will be happy campers Page 9
Stipend, training incentives part of enhanced rate effort by Access Press staff As Minnesota continues to struggle with its care crisis, measures are being taken to address the critical need for direct care workers. Efforts are stepping up to implement the enhanced rates for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) programs. The programs involved are Personal Care Assistance (PCA) Traditional and PCA Choice, along with Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS) and the Consumer Support Grant (CSG). One piece of the enhanced rates, which have been in the works for several years, took effect July 1 for PCA and CGS programs. DHS is still in the process of seeking federal approval for the changes in CDCS and extended PCA on a support waiver. Enhanced rates are seen as a way of helping people with high-need disabilities to have more highly trained staff and more control over services and supports. A key focus is on helping people who need a higher level of care, and care for 12 or more hours per day. Another goal is to help direct support workers, by offering them a training stipend and the ability to move to higher rates. Higher rates are offered for people who have gone through training and who
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Direct support staff and clients have welcomed options under a new state program. have the right academic background. The $500 stipend is only available to the first 5,000 who apply for it, in PCA Choice, CDCS, and CGS who complete qualifying training. People could apply starting July 1. The stipend for PCA Choice, PCA Traditional, CGS, and CDCS requires completion of three courses from a menu
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of options. One requirement is to learn online about the history of the disability rights movement. Other options include courses in CPR, first aid, occupational health and safety, safe patient handling, independent living, managing the stress and challenge of paid caregiving, oral
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