Pictured left to right are representatives from the Area Agency on Aging District 7: Jamie Herrmann, Executive Director; Lisa Adams, LSW, PASSPORT Clinical Supervisor; and Debbie Gulley, RN, Director of Care Management Services. The AAA7 was recently informed that they received Accreditation of Case Management for Long-Term Services and Supports from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its PASSPORT and Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Programs for a period of three years.
Submitted photo
The Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) has received Accreditation of Case Management for Long-Term Services and Supports from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for its PASSPORT and Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Programs for a period of three years. Earning NCQA’s Accreditation of Case Management for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) demonstrates strong performance of the functions outlined in the standards for Accreditation of Case Management Services for LTSS as well as an organization’s dedication to coordinating the delivery of care in a person-centered and integrated manner to help individuals function optimally in their preferred setting.
NCQA standards are purposely set high to encourage organizations coordinating LTSS to continuously enhance the quality of services they deliver and are intended to help organizations achieve the highest level of performance possible and create an environment of continuous improvement.
AAA7 programs that were part of the accreditation review included both the PASSPORT and Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Programs. AAA7 Care Managers working with both of these programs continuously monitor the health and safety of enrolled individuals and help them remain in their preferred residence by arranging services and supports to meet their needs. Medicaid waivers allow individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions to receive care in their homes and communities rather than in long-term care facilities, hospitals or intermediate care facilities with the goal to prevent or delay nursing home placement.
Jamie Herrmann, Executive Director at the AAA7 said, “NCQA has been the industry quality standard for years. Receiving a three-year accreditation period is reflective of the quality standards the AAA7 upholds in all the work we do. I’m extremely proud of the hard work our staff does not only to achieve accreditation but in what they do daily to sustain quality standards and practices.”
Debbie Gulley, RN, Director of Case Management Services at the AAA7 shared, “Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) can use accreditation to establish key structures and processes needed to pursue contracts with a variety of purchasers of Case Management services. The Ohio Department of Aging has encouraged AAAs to pursue NCQA accreditation and we are very proud that our Agency has achieved this for the second round, this time for a three-year accreditation which is the longest accreditation span offered through NCQA.”
Lisa Adams, LSW, PASSPORT Clinical Supervisor at the AAA7, who led the AAA7’s accreditation process with NCQA, added, “Accreditation proves to purchasers that we provide high quality, evidence-based care management for the individuals we serve and are successful at preventing or delaying higher cost nursing home placement.”
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis in ten counties in Southern Ohio including Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options. Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.
Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a specially-trained Agency staff member who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an in-home assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more. Information is also available on www.aaa7.org, or the Agency can be contacted through e-mail at [email protected]. The Agency also has a Facebook page located at www.facebook.com/AreaAgencyOnAgingDistrict7.
