Winter 2015

The Arc of NJ's Fact Sheet for Persons with I/DD Who Have Medicaid and Private Health Insuranceone

 

We had heard concerns from some families who were told (incorrectly) that their son/daughter was not permitted to have both Medicaid and private health insurance coverage. We want everyone to understand the facts about this issue.  This is especially important because of DDD's policy requiring individuals to have Medicaid, by age 21, in order to receive DDD services. Please Note: The best way for persons with I/DD to receive Medicaid is by having Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Medicaid is provided, automatically, to everyone who is eligible for SSI. Read More.

Updated Fact Sheet on Supplemental Security Income (SSI)two

 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is highly recommended for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities who turn 18 years of age and expect to pursue supports and services through the New Jersey Department of Human Services' Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). An updated Fact Sheet (Revised, January 2015) is now available on the importance of SSI for adults (age 18 and older) with I/DD. Every NJ resident who receives SSI will automatically receive NJ Medicaid. Having SSI protects Medicaid eligibility for the future.Click here for the SSI Fact Sheet.

Questions About Medicare? Call the NJ SHIP Officethree 
 
There is a helpful phone number for anyone who has questions about Medicare benefits. Answers to Medicare questions are provided by NJ's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Staff are able to answer questions from people who have Medicare 
only; Medicare and Medicaid (the "dual eligibles"); Medicare plus private health insurance (with or without Medicaid); Medicare Part D - the
drug benefit; and Medicare HMOs - including the dual eligible special needs plans or D-SNPs.

 

The NJ SHIP phone number is 1-800-792-8820

Hours are 8:30 to 4:30, Monday - Friday

You may visit the SHIP website at:

http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/services/ship/tml

Important Information on the 2015 Medicare Part D Drug Plan
Changes for the Dual Eligiblesfour

 

The Arc of NJ recently provided a free webinar to discuss the 2015 Medicare Part D changes that may affect some dual eligibles. The Medicare drug plan (Part D) changes started on January 1, 2015 for the dual eligibles (people who have both Medicare and Medicaid benefits).

Groups at Higher Risk for Complications from the Flufive 
 

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an official Health Advisory because this year's flu vaccine is not as effective against the current strain of the flu, due to mutations in the virus.Click here to see the full Health Advisory from the CDC.

 

The following is an excerpt from the full CDC Health Advisory, which lists the categories of individuals who are at high risk for complications from the flu:"Clinical benefit is greatest when antiviral treatment is administered early. When indicated, antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible after illness onset, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset. However, antiviral treatment might still have some benefits in patients with severe, complicated, or progressive illness and in hospitalized patients when started after 48 hours of illness onset.


Antiviral treatment with oseltamivir or zanamivir is recommended as early as possible for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who:

  • is hospitalized;
  • has severe, complicated, or progressive illness; or
  • is at higher risk for influenza complications. This list includes:
    • children aged younger than 2 years;
    • adults aged 65 years and older;
    • persons with chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension alone), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), and metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus),or neurologic and neurodevelopmental conditions (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy [seizure disorders], stroke, intellectual disability, moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury);
    • persons with immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV infection;
    • women who are pregnant or postpartum (within 2 weeks after delivery);
    • persons aged younger than 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;
    • American Indians/Alaska Natives;
    • persons who are morbidly obese (i.e., body-mass index is equal to or greater than 40); and
    • residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
In Memoriam: Obituary for Russell J. Kormann, Ph.D.six
written by, Michael R. Petronko, Ph.D.

We were very sad to learn that Russ Kormann, a long-time and highly valued member of the Mainstreaming Medical Care Advisory Board, passed away on November 24, 2014. 

Over the past 25 years, Russ Kormann was active in developing our annual conference agendas, and he was a dynamic and popular speaker at our conferences -- with a wonderful combination of style and substance that made a lasting impression on everyone who heard his presentations.
Donations in memory of Dr. Russ Kormann can be sent to:

The Arc of New Jersey

"In memory of Dr. Russ Kormann"

985 Livingston Avenue

North Brunswick, NJ 08902  

To honor his memory, we will designate all of these donations for scholarships to our annual conference and other meaningful ways that will serve as a tribute to 
Dr. Kormann's stellar legacy.

Click here to read the special tribute to Russ, written by his mentor and friend, Mike Petronko, Ph.D.

 

FREE Webinar on Understanding Your Social Security Retirement Benefits:
For Parents 
of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)seven
 

The Arc of New Jersey is hosting a free webinar on February 11, 2015 at 10 am titled, Understanding Your Social Security Retirement Benefits: For Parents of Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD).

 

When parents of adolescent and adult children with developmental disabilities think about retirement, it is important to understand the role that Social Security benefits can and should play in your overall retirement plan. This free webinar is intended specifically for parents of children or adults with I/DD to explain their Social Security benefits and how to create a "mySocialSecurity" account.

 

The guest speaker is David Vinokurov, Social Security Administration District Manager. Click here to register for this event.

The Arc of New Jersey Honors Kellie Woodruff as the 2014 Professional of the Yeareight

 

Kellie Woodruff received The Arc of New Jersey's 2014 Professional of the Year Award at a gala event on October 24, 2014, at the Imperia Banquet Center in Somerset, New Jersey. Kellie's employment with The Arc of Hunterdon began 18 years ago, first as a direct support specialist, and she was promoted to residential manager, trainer, Director of Quality Assurance, and Associate Executive Director. She is also an active member of The Arc of New Jersey's Mainstreaming Medical Care Advisory Board. 

 

Kellie works tirelessly to ensure that individuals supported by The Arc of Hunterdon are safe, healthy, and afforded opportunities to enjoy meaningful lives. She is the consummate advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities whether they are at home, at work or participating in activities in their community. Kellie maintains strong relationships with family members, guardians, case managers, medical and mental health professionals, and other provider agencies in order to ensure that every person she interacts with on a daily basis is receiving the most thorough and appropriate care possible.

Every employee at The Arc of Hunterdon knows that she is the go-to person whenever anyone is in need of assistance. Her knowledge of the medical history and current medical status of each person she supports is exemplary. Kellie is truly a role model for every direct support staff person, manager, supervisor, and director at the agency.

The Arc of New Jersey and the Mainstreaming Medical Care Program are delighted that Kellie Woodruff was selected as the Professional of the Year!

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Healthy Times is a publication of Mainstreaming Medical Care, a program of 
The Arc of New Jersey funded by the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. 
To view or print copies of current and past issues, please visit us on the internet at:

Thomas Baffuto
Executive Director, The Arc of New Jersey
Robert Hage
President, The Arc of New Jersey
Beverly Roberts
Director, Mainstreaming Medical Care;Editor
Beth Moffitt
Administrative Assistant, Mainstreaming Medical Care;Graphic Designer

Mainstreaming Medical Care Advisory Board
                             Steven Cook                                                        Leone Murphy, RN, MS, CS, Chair
                             Barbara Coppens                                                John Nevins, DO
                             Kristen Creed                                                       Emily Ott, RN, BSN 
                             Lucille Esralew, PhD                                            Stephanie Pratico 
                             Theodor Feigelman, MD                                       Andrea Quinn, Psy.D. 
                             Carly Heaton, DO                                                 Margaret Springer, RN, MSN, APN
                             Theodore Kastner, MD, MS                                  Deborah Spitalnik, PhD
                             Seth Keller, MD                                                     Evan Spivack, DDS
                             Robert Like, MD, MS                                             Kevin Walsh, PhD
                             Pauline Lisciotto, RN                                             Kellie Woodruff
                                                                                                          Leah Ziskin, MD 
                                                           

Healthy Times newsletter is intended for informational purposes only, and does not provide or claim to provide advice regarding diagnosis or treatment for any individual case.
 
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