Abstract:

Discusses implementation by the Illinois Dept on Aging & the Council for Jewish Elderly of the capitated Managed Community Care Demonstration Project. An overview of the existing community care program is presented, & the council's primary objectives for implementing a managed care system are reviewed. Differences between the existing program & the demonstration project in care planning, compensation, services provided, & client cost share are examined. To guarantee the survival of the managed care system, the council determined & then decreased hourly & unit costs, extended enrollment to additional clients, & monitored service provision through efficient care management. The demonstration project engendered novel relationships between care managers & clients, forced managers to carefully consider client needs & cost containment, & provided cost training for care managers. Future studies should address the project's accounting system & program outcomes.