Member Advisory Council: Minutes, June 2008

June 12, 2008
St. Paul Center, Augusta
12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Attendees: Tammy Swasey-Ballou, Karen Evans, Stephanie Crystal, Troy Henderson, Paula Greenleaf, Jeff Crane, Eric McVay, Joan Smyrski, Simonne Maline, Eric Meyer, Pat Caporino, Dr. Kathy Ray, Brianna Boucher

Absent: Ronnie Lowell, Leticia Huttman, Kelly Bickmore, Alexis Lyon

Announcements

Simonne Maline, Member Liaison, APS Healthcare

Welcome two new members; Troy Henderson and Joan Smyrski.
Mileage reimbursement will be given at the meetings going forward.
Karen Evans reported about APS Healthcare MAC members and staff performing at the Hope Conference with Actor Factor in the skit “What Are 12 Units Anyway?”
Member Handbook has been revised in the denial and grievance section.
Schaller-Anderson is contracted with the State to provide care management to extremely high need members with great medical needs.

Introductions and Handouts

Handouts included; Common Understandings of the MAC
Outline of June ASO Member Newsletter
Member Info Sheet about the ASO
PowerPoint presentation about APS Healthcare
Who Should I Call? Information
AIN Resource Book

Program Updates by Eric Meyer

The ASO has been in operation for 6 months, receiving an average of 11,000 requests per month. APS Healthcare is conducting many trainings for providers and members. Reporting data from the system has just begun. Melanie Sachs resigned and APS is currently recruiting for another Member Services Manager. Kelly Bickmore is now the Director of Operations, and Alexis Lyon has moved from Member Services Representative to Provider Relations Specialist. Letters will be sent out in the renegotiation process, as per MAC recommendations. APS wants to encourage providers and members to talk directly when there are questions about the ASO and mental health services. APS Healthcare is receiving 800-900 calls a week.

A word from APS Healthcare’s Medical Director, Dr. Kathy Ray

Her position began with APS a couple of months ago. Has a background in child and adolescent psychiatry and has a strong interest in public health. Dr Ray works with a group of 3 physicians (Physician Advisors) who give a second opinion in reconsiderations and appeals. The team is made up of three well trained psychiatrists. There was a recommendation from the MAC that the team include trauma orientated physicians. Two names of clinical social workers were given who would be a good asset in the area of trauma, to the Physician Advisors Group; Ann Jennings and Mary Auslander.

Quality Improvement

Pat Caporino

Not all data is complete at this time.
Provided statistics including; discharge information, outpatient utilization, members dx with a serious illness, Daily bed status, etc.

Written Materials Feedback

Member Handbook
- Move the Common Abbreviations page more to the front of the handbook.
- Page 9 - space out the telephone number so it’s easy to read for people who are in a crisis.
- Page 15 – Tom Ward is grievance specialist only for adults. Joan Smyrski will send the child contact.
- Page 23 – remove Section 65 Day Services
Newsletter
- Change the word resiliency to ability to cope or wellness.
- Under the Mythbusters page, add “I am losing my case manger because of a budget cut.” And “ I’m being cut because my GAF score isn’t low enough.”
- Add “Council Member Spotlight”, “Useful Websites”, and “Common Abbreviations” to the next newsletter.
- Troy will be sending an article on Stigma for the next newsletter.
- There are a number of people who can’t read or comprehend, so it would be nice to be able to meet with an APS representative to address the handbook and and newsletter another way.
Website
- All member information is on the website.
- Now a list of 20 support websites
- Need to add Troy to the council members page
- The Council would like to see a tab under the index of “Council Accomplishments”

Suggestions

Forward the Quality/Data Piece to the group by the next meeting.
At the end of Eric Meyer’s Statewide Provider and Member Update emails add “What does this mean to me?”
- Eric has already implemented this in response to the MAC request.

Next meeting will be September 11, 2008