DES MOINES – Today, Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds highlighted another alleged Medicaid modernization success story “that is demonstrating success in connecting patients with services to live healthier, happier lives. Medicaid patients are getting access to better care, seeing greater flexibility to deliver that care, and ultimately better health outcomes under Medicaid Modernization.”
The pair offered a story about a blind woman integrating into the community:
Patient: Kelly Canavan (has granted permission to share her experience and identity)
UnitedHealthcare is committed to delivering high-quality care to its members and wherever possible do so in a home and community setting. Kelly Canavan is legally blind as a result of her battle with diabetes and also suffers from neuropathy. For more than two years, Kelly resided in an assisted living home but expressed a real and ongoing desire to move into the community.
UnitedHealthcare case manager Sara Etringer conducted an extensive search throughout northern Iowa to locate the best and most affordable housing option providing the type of services to meet Kelly’s unique health care needs. In the end, Sara found a great fit in Waterloo.
However, the move could not happen until Kelly received a physical disability waiver, which could not happen until she moved out of the assisted living center. Knowing the right fit had been located, UnitedHealthcare worked to arrange for Kelly’s services to be covered until her waiver was formally approved. As a result, Kelly moved into the new housing in October.
By modernizing Medicaid, Iowans are getting the right care at the right time and in the right setting.
