The Managed Care Critical Incident Report (CIR) Project received its first grant from an outside source. The Little Sisters of Assumption Ministry Fund awarded the Project $10,000. The funds will support continued distribution and collection of the report forms. Project coordinators Terry Mizrahi and Penny Schwartz have showcased the Project in appearances on Channel 5 "Good Day New York," and the "Health Care On The Air" cable show. The Project has the attention of local and state officials here in New York and has begun to receive national recognition. The Family Therapy Networker, May 1998, covered the Project. National NASW will inform the other 54 chapters about the Project and invite those chapters to launch the Project in their own states.
Preliminary data uncovered major problems with managed care. Fifty-seven percent of the first 66 respondents received employment-based managed care benefits while only 14 % are Medicaid beneficiaries. We anticipate an increase in the publicly insured respondents as mandated Medicaid managed care is phased in across the state. Forty two percent of respondents identified enrollment and disenrollment problems. Response from providers documented difficulty doing business effectively with managed care organizations including interference in treatment and access to recommended care. Both consumers and providers reported reimbursement/payment issues.
The Chapter is working closely with other health advocacy organizations to most effectively use the results of the Project. The Project encourages Chapter members to continue to provide information on managed care by returning completed forms. The Project also needs providers and consumers willing to speak to the media.
How To Participate in the Critical Incident Report Project