Derby City Area Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Derby City Area Chapter of the N.S.C.I.A. is a membership organization for individuals with spinal cord injuries, their families, and health professionals. Founded in 1984 as a Charter Member of the N.S.C.I.A., it was incorporated under IRS Section 501 (c) 3 as a not for profit organization. The Board of Directors consists of the Officers, Past President and the Board Members At Large.
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OFFICERS
PRESIDENT David Allgood - (502) 589-6620
VICE PRESIDENT Adam Ford - (502) 425-2206
TREASURER Tom Stokes- (502) 957-5865
LIAISON TO FRAZIER INSTITUTE Dr. Bill Kraft – (502) 582-5865
FUNDRAISING CHAIR Betty Perry—(502) 647-0368
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY/WEB MASTER Michael Feger- (502) 647-0368
PAST PRESIDENT Adam Ford- (502) 425-2206
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE- Mike Perry Kelly Young
NSCIA DERBY CITY CHAPTER NEWSLETTER
Editor- Barbara Davis
Contributor- David Allgood
THE AXIS MODEL, CONT’D
as individuals with differing needs rather than as a conglomerate of symptoms produced by a Disability.
Together, AXIS staff and the pilot participants built interest in this new model, engaging key providers, demonstrating that obtaining the right care or service at the right time is primarily the result of coordination rather than increased dollars. In fact, we strongly believe that there is plenty of money in the system now serving people with disabilities. The problem is that the rules haven’t allowed for the flexibility to spend it in the right places at the right time.
All health care is local, meaning that significant change in health care services requires the engagement of the consumers, their providers, and payers. In Minnesota, AXIS Healthcare and the pilot participants have been working with Ucare Minnesota (and its extensive provider network), and the Department of Human Services to build a better system. Ucare Minnesota is a managed care organization created to serve persons with Medicaid and Medicare. With almost 100,000 members, they bring extensive experience in managed care and a commitment to flexibility in meeting the needs of persons with physical disabilities. The Department of Human Services, serving as the state Medicaid office, has understood that the existing fee-for-service system has created ‘islands of care’ with minimal integration of services and supports.
Together, AXIS Healthcare, the pilot participants and other consumers, Ucare Minnesota and the state created Minnesota Disability Health Options program. This voluntary managed care program started accepting enrollment in July 2001. It is available for adults with physical disabilities on Medicaid, with or without Medicare, residing in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area. AXIS is staffed by health and resources coordinators with extensive experience working with persons with physical disabilities and their providers. Each member participates in initial assessment and develops a service plan prior to final enrollment. The member, his or her primary care physician and health coordinator function as the core team in managing the full range of services and supports they need. AXIS staff are available 24/7, and focus on early intervention and risk prevention strategies. Those who join AXIS are not cases to be managed; they are partners in the process. They can also leave the program at any time, making consumer satisfaction a top priority for AXIS.
But history and program development only tell part of the story. The best way to describe AXIS is through the people who live and breathe it – people like Gary Madson.
