Fidelis Care expanding in-home care program

PHOTOGRAPHER: Bethany Bump

Catholic health insurance company Fidelis Care is expanding an in-home care program for the chronically ill and disabled to nearly every county in the state, including much of the Capital Region.

The New York State Catholic Health Plan announced Thursday that its Fidelis Care at Home Managed Long-Term Care program will be available in an additional 39 counties — including Albany, Schenectady, Schoharie, Fulton and Montgomery counties — making cost-effective, in-home care available to individuals throughout 50 counties.

The program was borne out of the recognition that many chronically ill and disabled individuals are unable to live on their own without help but may not be able to afford the level of care a nursing home provides.

Those who qualify for Fidelis’ Managed Long-Term Care program can remain at home and receive flexible, tailored care. A nurse care manager is assigned to each member, and works with their physicians, service providers and family to develop a plan tailored to their needs.

Following initiatives proposed by the New York State Medicaid Redesign Team, its services include: in-home nursing and health aides; physical, occupational and speech therapy; medical social services; adult health or social day care; durable medical equipment and supplies; prosthetics and orthotics; podiatry, dental, audiological and optometric services; nutrition care and home-delivered meals; and non-emergency transportation.

Members are also eligible for nursing home care, if it’s eventually needed.

To qualify, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, eligible for Medicaid, reside in one of the approved counties, be eligible for nursing home-level care and require the plan’s services for at least four months. They also have to be able to remain in their home without putting their health or safety at risk.

There are currently 601 members enrolled in the program, up from 244 when it first began in December 2008.

Fidelis is looking to expand the program to the remaining 12 counties, pending final approval from the state Department of Health.

For more information on the Managed Long-Term Care program, visit www.fideliscare.org or call 1-800-688-7422.