CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, (608) 266-1683

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES TO HOLD TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON DRAFT PROPOSAL FOR VIRTUAL PACE

MADISON—The Department of Health Services is holding public meetings to solicit comments on a draft proposal for Virtual PACE, a program to integrate the care for people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

More than 120,000 Wisconsin residents receive their health care through a combination of their Medicare and Medicaid benefit. This proposal focuses on the more than 16,000 “dually eligible” nursing home residents to improve coordination to ensure better physical and mental health and quality of life for people residing in these settings and increase cost-effectiveness for payers.

Wisconsin is one of 15 states that received a demonstration grant from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop a care coordination and funding model to integrate the care of individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

The Department worked extensively with consumers, advocates and partners in developing the draft proposal, which was released for public comment on March 16th. Public comments will help the Department refine the proposal before submitting to CMS.

Individuals who are interested in speaking will have up to five minutes to share their ideas at this forum. Those who would like to share their ideas, but do not wish to speak, are encouraged to submit their written feedback at the meeting. Input can also be provided online at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wipartnership/pace/index.htm where more information on the proposal can be found. Input can also be sent by email or regular mail.

** People needing special accommodations to attend or participate in the meeting should notify the Department of Health Services at 608-266-9622 (TTY 888-701-1250) by the day prior to the event.

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Last Revised:  March 30, 2012