Meals and More - CICOA

On November 9, 2013, I was visited by Jean of CICOA and Angie of Right @ Home (whose company provides me my one shower a week).  The meeting lasted almost an hour.  Many things were discussed but some highlights are

• that I needed more services – that would be through a Medicaid waiver and I would get more than 1 shower a week, for instance.
• that if need be, APS would get involved.  Neglect is abuse, which is against the law.

I thought something sooner was going to happen but about a month later I received the following email.  The first part is from Jean and the rest was to Morita and Laurie, both of Amedisys, which provided care when I got my bedsore (which at first I thought was a bug bite) earlier in the year.

On 12/13/2013 9:54 AM, Sanders, Jean wrote:
Hello,

I complete a home visit for assessment with Mr Dawson on 11/8/13.  At that time, he refused to apply for Medicaid.

Mr Dawson  was referred to Home delivered meals with CICOA/Meals & More program, which is funded by Title III,

I just spoke to M&M dept today, his first shipment of frozen entrees (meals for 2 weeks each shipment) should go out to his home today.

There is no assigned Case Manager from CICOA for clients who have Meals & More program only.  I am not assigned to provide ongoing services for him.

If Mr Dawson would like any assistance from CICOA related to Medicaid application, he will need to contact ADRC (Information & Referral Dept) at 317-254-3660 or complete a new intake/referral form which is available on our website: www.cicoa.org.

Any provide may also complete a new referral using this contact information. 

Regards,

Jean Sanders
Options Counselor
CICOA Aging & In Home solutions
4755 Kingway Drive, #200
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Phone/Fax (317) 803-6150

Sent to gather info per Amedysis.

From: Drew Dawson [mailto:dcal53@comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 10:45 PM
To: Stephanie Dawson
Cc: Moritta Nave
Subject: Applying for Medicaid

Hey there,
Need to gather the following information to determine if I'm eligible for Medicaid assistance.  Hopefully I qualify.  Once we have this, need to setup a meeting with Morita Nave (social worker), Laurie Lorinsky (nurse), both from Amedisys, and both of us of course.  Just let me know when and I'll contact them.

Please gather the following information:

- Household financial information, such as:
              Money spent on rent, house payments or heating and cooling
              Cash on hand or money in a bank account
              Income from a job or training
              Payments for adult or child care
              Unearned Income such as Social Security, SSI, child support, unemployment benefits
- Benefits I get now or have gotten in the past
              (for example, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, veteran's benefits, etc.)
- Medical information related to you and the people who live with you
Don't know if the VA can help but I am a Veteran (USAF - 3 yrs, 1 day).  I should have my DD214 somewhere.  I used it for our home in Westfield, 'member.
Thanks

--

Drew aka DrDOS / DCal

cc
    Morita Nave
    Laurie Lorinsky
Morita,
Please share with Laurie.  Thanks.

I’m not sure why this was said “At that time, he refused to apply for Medicaid” as I thought what was said was that my wife said I probably didn’t qualify for Medicaid because she made too much money.  I was glad to hear the words Medicaid, APS and more services.  I think I even bawled for a bit because I finally saw a light at the end of what had become a 5-year nightmare.  If she got from that I was refusing services, I sure am confused.  I sent her the following email

Jean,
Thanks for following up.  I don't remember refusing to apply for Medicare.  I thought what we discussed is what had been done up to that point which is that I was on Medicare and in order for more services (like meals - started today, Thanks) to be provided, I would need Medicaid.  I thought I remembered I would give that a try and get paperwork.  I believe we discussed APS also (as they came once before) since neglect (APS said nothing when it was mentioned) was considered abuse too.  (I didn't know that.  Thought it was just wrong but just not illegal.)
Considering my present condition it's possible I have our last meeting confused but that wasn't the impression I was under when you both left.

Please reconsider keeping the case open.  I also contacted my neurologist (Dr. Pascuzzi) about any steps (towards Medicaid) his office can help with.
Thanks again.
cc
    Dr. Robert Pascuzzi
    Morita Nave (social worker)
    Laurie Lorinsky (nurse)
P.S.  Morita, please share with Laurie.  Thanks

Drew aka DrDOS / DCal
I received the following email from Jean.  My apologies if these are out of order. 

Mr Dawson:

I apologize for the confusion….correct contact for ADRC/Information and referral is 317-803-6131. 

Website for CICOA is www.cicoa.org , you may find it informative.

Jean Sanders

From: Drew Dawson [mailto:dcal53@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 9:06 AM
To: Sanders, Jean
Cc: McCord, Carrie; Angie Hamilton
Subject: Re: Initial Visit

Jean,
Thanks for your visit the other day. 
If I see this form, the best I can do is initial it.   I hope this will be enough.
If Medicaid becomes an option for me, will contacting the ADRC Department (at 317-803-6150) be the correct option?  Do they have an email or website available?  I have an easier time communicating that way.
Appreciate your time.  Take care.

Drew aka DrDOS / DCal
On 11/19/2013 6:56 AM, Sanders, Jean wrote:

Mr Dawson,

I have consulted with my Supervisor regarding your situation.

Your request for Home Delivered Meals with CICOA’s Meals and More program has been submitted for processing.  You appear to meet the eligibility criteria for Home Delivered Meals with Title III funding.

Meals and More Department should be contacting you in 2-3 weeks to further explain the program and schedule you to begin meal delivery.

You appear to meet the medical eligibility for the Medicaid Aged and Disabled waiver program, which could provide additional in home services.  At this time, I understand you and your spouse decline to apply for Medicaid, which is the funding source for these services.  I will be sending a Notice of Status form summarizing the above information.

Please sign this form as designated and return in the postage paid envelope.

Currently, CICOA does not assign a Case Manager to make quarterly follow up visits for clients utilizing Home Delivered Meals only.

If you need further assistance, please contact the ADRC Department (information & referral telephone counselors) at 317-803-6150.

I have made Amedysis Health Care and Right at Home aware of this information for the purpose of Plan of Care coordination. 

Regards,

Jean Sanders
From: Drew Dawson [mailto:dcal53@comcast.net]
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2013 12:15 AM
To: Sanders, Jean
Cc: Angie Hamilton
Subject: Initial Visit Today

Thanks for the visit today.
My arguments for staying have been

1. I really need the internet for my studies.  Otherwise I may as well look at the walls until ...
2. I enjoy having the TV for companionship, a window to the world (news) and just being entertained.    I get DVDs from BlockBuster to watch so it feels like I'm at the movies sometimes.
3. I am in the home I purchased using the home I bought in Westfield with my G.I. Bill.  I thought we were both purchasing that one but after her divorce her credit was in shambles.  No money down worked out, however.  Otherwise, I guess we would have had to wait a few more years.  When we bought this "money pit" from her parents after they lived here for over 30 years, it accomplished several things:  they could build a home in Brownsburg, where she grew up, we were a lot closer to work and this home could stay in the family; a part I thought I always played a big part in.
4. What I can expect from my "jailer", if the past is any indication, is known.  I get a cup of coffee in the morning and a meal at night.  Somewhere else is unknown.

I don't disbelieve what you said/meant about what you can do for people in my situation.  But I live on this side of the fence and what I've been living with these past few years makes me a little leary of dipping my toe in the water since I'm the one who has to live with any consequences that may occur.  I'm not saying any would but my wife has NEVER used any foul language in our marriage, especially not directed at me - when she started cutting up my meat a few years ago, she muttered under her breath that I was a fxxxing baby; she mutters too when Roxy turns over the bathroom trash and lays down pads that the dogs use for their daily "accidents" - one of them even does both which I have to move out of the way sometimes so I can wheel myself into the bathroom - no one else changes them.

Oh - the email I wrote but never sent was

This was in '09.  I don't know for sure as he wouldn't tell me but I suspect it was my caregiver at the time.

Thanks again to you both.

--

Drew dawson aka DrDOS / DCal

On 12/13/2013 I sent this email to my doctor in case he could or needed to do something.

Thanks Drew

Nancy can you please assist with the medicaid? Thanks

Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Drew Dawson <dcal53@comcast.net>
Date: 12/12/2013 6:12 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: "Pascuzzi, Robert Mark" <rpascuzz@iupui.edu>
Subject: Medicaid approval

Hello Dr. Pascuzzi,
Is there anything I would need from your office to apply for or receive Medicaid?
Thanks for your time today.  Hope this finds you and family in good spirits this Holiday Season.

--

Drew aka DrDOS / DCal

I never heard from Nancy.  I’ve let him know (3/17/2014).0