Long Term Care Redesign:
Overview and Summary of Proposed WAHSA Models


Over the past year, considerable resources have been devoted to creating various options to redesign the current long term care (LTC) delivery "system." Most observers agree the problems inherent in this system include:

WAHSA's Long Term Care Redesign Goal

Given the limitations and disadvantages of the current long term care system, the Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (WAHSA) strongly advocates for a redesigned delivery system which "maximizes an individual's choice of services, providers, and care settings as long as such care is necessary and meets a minimum level of quality standards and is cost-effective."1 Further, the future delivery system should integrate acute and primary care, long term care, and supportive services in order to provide, finance, and manage the health and long term care needs of clients.2

As a way to begin to address the above cited problems, the Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (WAHSA) has considered three models or programs to initiate changes to the present system. As will be discussed in this paper, each of these models assumes certain common program changes, particularly in the areas of comprehensive assessments, single point of entry, quality assurance mechanisms, and cost-effective allocation of public dollars. The targeted populations to be served by these models or programs would include elderly and disabled persons.

WAHSA recommends that the Department's immediate redesign efforts concentrate on developing the LTC Voucher Program and initiating the program changes contained in the Current Modifications Program. The LTC Managed Care Organization Program could be implemented in response to the Voucher Program, but it would not need to be the dominant vehicle to manage or deliver LTC in the future.

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WAHSA 204 South Hamilton Street Madison, WI 53703
Telephone: (608)255-7060 FAX:(608)255-7064