| | |  Earlier this year, the state implemented a 3.6% reduction in service hours for all IHSS consumers, with the reduction coming first from any documented unmet needs. The recently enacted budget also contains a trigger cut that will reduce IHSS hours further if certain state revenue goals are not met. Once again, the reduction would first come from a consumer's documented unmet needs. But what is an unmet need and how do you, as an IHSS consumer, know if you have any documented unmet needs?
When a county social worker conducts your assessment or re-assessment, they may determine that you need more hours of service than are allowed by program regulations. Once you have reached your maximum IHSS benefit level, any additional services that you need (excluding protective supervision) become known as unmet needs. These services are not paid for by IHSS, but should be documented by your social worker, and should be listed on the bottom of your Notice of Action. More information about unmet needs and how they could impact future changes in your services will be discussed in PASC's upcoming Consumer TeleWorkshop, which will be held on September 28th at 1 PM. Visit PASC's website at www.pascla.org for information on the TeleWorkshop call-in number and access code. back to top | PASC to Hold Another Open House for IHSS Consumers and Providers | | Based on the success of our June 27th open house, PASC will sponsor another Open House for IHSS consumers, their family members, and IHSS homecare workers on September 23rd at the Joslyn Adult Center in Burbank. You are invited to join us anytime between 10 am and 4 pm. During the Open House, PASC staff will be on hand to answer questions and assist you with a variety of IHSS-related issues, including: - Information on how to join the PASC Homecare Registry
- Information on how to request additional IHSS hours or appeal an hours reduction notice
- Consumer Corner, for IHSS consumers to meet and network with one another
- Immediate provider referrals for IHSS consumers
- Homecare job listings for Registry-qualified providers
- Information on the PASC-SEIU Homecare Workers Health Care Plan
- Assistance with late check, timesheet, and payment issues
The PASC Consumer and Provider Open House will be held on Friday, September 23rd, from 10 am to 4 pm at: Joslyn Adult Center 1301 W. Olive Avenue Burbank, CA 91506 Cross St.: N. Griffith Park Dr. For more information or to RSVP, please give us a call at 877-565-4477. back to top | | Talking to Your Doctor About CAM | | The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health has launched the "Time to Talk" campaign to encourage patients to discuss their use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) with their healthcare providers. CAM includes products and practices not generally considered part of conventional medicine -- such as herbal and dietary supplements, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, and acupuncture.  Giving all your healthcare providers a full picture of what you do to manage your health helps you stay in control. Also, some CAM approaches can have an effect on conventional medicine, and talking to your healthcare providers will help ensure coordinated and safe care. According to NCCAM, herbal or botanical products and other dietary supplements may interact with prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. They can also have negative, even dangerous, effects on their own.
A 2010 AARP-NCCAM survey of people 50 and older showed that over half of those surveyed use some type of CAM, and over a third take a herbal product or dietary supplement. Yet, as shown above, only about half of CAM users said they have ever discussed CAM with their healthcare providers. Is it Time to Talk to your doctor about CAM? Here are some tips: - When completing patient history forms, be sure to include all therapies and treatments you use. Make a list in advance.
- Tell your healthcare providers about all therapies or treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription medicines, and herbal and dietary supplements. Don't wait for them to ask -- be proactive.
- If you have more than one doctor or healthcare provider, let all of them know about the CAM and conventional therapies you use. This will help each provider make sure that all aspects of your healthcare work together.
- If you are considering using a CAM therapy, ask your healthcare providers about its safety, effectiveness, and possible interactions with medications (both prescription and nonprescription).
The Time to Talk website has free downloadable materials, including fact sheets and a wallet card to help you record your medical conditions, medications, and CAM use. Visit the site at nccam.nih.gov/timetotalk, or call the NCCAM Clearinghouse at 888-644-6226, Monday-Friday, 5:30 am-2 pm, Pacific time, to speak with a representative in English or Spanish. TTY users may call 866-464-3615. back to top | Do you have questions about PASC and the IHSS Program? Do you have suggestions for topics to be covered in the PASC E-News? Send your questions and suggestions to e-news@pascla.org. PASC E-News is designed for you to get the information you need! Note: If you do not wish to receive future editions or would like to update your profile with us, please scroll down to the bottom of this message and click on either "SafeUnsubscribe" or "Update Profile/Email Address" | | Upcoming Trainings and Events Click on event for more information | | | | Legislation Watch | Several bills that could have an impact on the IHSS community have been introduced in the senate and assembly for the 2011-2012 legislative session. Listed below are the bills that PASC is currently tracking. For additional information on any of the bills, visit PASC's website at www.pascla.org. - AB 40 (Yamada) - Elder Abuse Reporting: Passed by the assembly on May 23rd. Did not make it out of committee in the senate before deadline.
- AB 138 (Beall) - Elder Economic Planning Act of 2011: Passed by the assembly on May 31st. Amended and passed by the senate on August 31st.
- AB 622 (Dickinson) - Civil Grand Juries: Passed by the assembly on June 1st. Amended and passed by the senate on September 7th.
- AB 876 (Valadao) - Hiring IHSS Providers: Signed into law by Governor Brown on July 7th.
- AB 889 (Ammiano) - Domestic Work Employees: Passed by the assembly on June 2nd. Did not make it out of committee in the senate before deadline.
· SB 393 (Hernandez) - Patient-Centered Medical Home Act of 2011: Passed by the senate on June 2nd. Did not make it out of committee in the assembly before deadline. · SB 411 (Price) - Home Care Services Act of 2011: Passed by the senate on June 2nd. Currently being heard by the assembly. - SB 930 (Evans) - IHSS Enrollment and Fingerprinting Requirements: Passed by the senate on May 19th. Amended and passed by the Assembly on August 30th.
Back to top  | | | | | | | | IHSS Consumer Review - Summer 2011 Includes information on: Cuts and Changes to IHSS New IHSS Eligibility Requirements Reductions and Changes to Medi-Cal PASC's Consumer Network Selecting the Right Homecare Worker and more | | Download your copy now at www.pascla.org
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