Puzzled by Medicaid waivers? We totally get it. Every day at SimplyHome we work with clients who are navigating the complex world of Medicaid and reimbursement for services. It can get complicated!
Today on our blog, we are featuring a new infographic that gives a basic introduction to Medicaid waivers. There are some great links, too!
Read MoreSimplyHome’s Jason Ray was the featured guest on a recent episode of LOMAH, a podcast started by Tom and Kim Albrecht, who are raising two daughters, one of whom has an intellectual/developmental disability. As their daughter grows into adulthood, they are gathering and sharing wisdom on parenting children with disabilities.
Read MoreWe hope that a lack of funding for assistive technology never hinders people with developmental disabilities from leading full and independent lives in the community. The reality, of course, is that funding for people with disabilities can be very limited, and enabling technology can become an afterthought. What you may not know: You may have a right to assistive technology. When assistive technology is necessary for a person with a disability to be able to learn, live, have independence, or have a job, certain public programs may pay for that AT. Today on the blog, we feature three of those assistive technology programs here in our home state of North Carolina.
Read MoreNote: The original version of this post was published in November. But we have some additional resources to share with you, so we thought we'd update it and share it again!
It’s a question we hear often: Does my state cover assistive technology?
It’s not a surprising question: Working through pages and pages of waivers and other documents can make you feel like you are working in the dark.
As we work with providers, clients, families, and loved ones, most want to know if Medicaid funding can be used to implement assistive technology – and specifically, to use that technology to promote independence as a part of a life in the community. This is what we call enabling technology.
Read MoreWith changes in Medicaid funding as a result of the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) final rule, states are developing waivers to support the transition of people with mental health issues into more independent community living. With these waivers, individuals can access enabling technology that supports health and wellbeing without the need for 24/7 staffing in the home environment.
Read MoreEvery once in a while, we come across a story and we just can’t stop smiling. Steve’s story is one of those. SimplyHome is honored to be a part of Steve’s quest for more independence in his community.
Steve accepts services from Wildwood Programs in NY. One day, as part of an in-depth self-assessment administered by Wildwood, Steve spoke up and told his care team that he wanted to live on his own.
Read MoreDavid Maennle is an accomplished young man who directly benefits from assistive technology in North Carolina. David’s chosen lifestyle -- living independently in the community with the help of technology -- saves the State of North Carolina almost $80,000 per year. David was born with an intellectual disability, but as his mother Becky says, “He is able to do everything that he puts his mind to. He just does it a bit differently.”
Read MoreANCOR’s statement marks a pivotal moment for providers seeking to keep up with changing resources and for states that face long waiting lists. SimplyHome's Jason Ray explains why this is such a big moment for ANCOR: “ANCOR is not merely saying that incorporating technology is important -- they’re saying it is a requirement for providers to remain sustainable in the future and to meet the requirements of the HCBS final rule and Olmstead."
Read MoreThe Charles Lea Center (CLC) began creating programs with technology in 2010 in order to offer people with disabilities an opportunity to develop skills, promote independence and empower people to live in their own homes. Since then, SimplyHome has continued to work with CLC to help them employ and benefit from the efficacy of such technology.
Read MoreTelemedicine has actually been practiced in some form for a long time. As early as the 1960s, NASA was regularly monitoring U.S. astronauts' vital signs including blood pressure and pulse oximetry during space missions. Fifty years, later, devices for remotely monitoring a wide range of needy patients, particularly elderly Americans living with chronic diseases or conditions, are available, but their use has been stymied.
A key factor has been the lack of standardized reimbursement for telemedicine technology and services.
Read MoreThe Dankners' Story We had the opportunity to sit down and talk with a customer who happens to be the first person in the state of North Carolina to receive our assistive technology funded through the Innovations Waiver.
Read More
