WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE AUDIT BUREAU
CONTRACT EVALUATION
December 2002
WISCONSIN FAMILY CARE IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS EVALUATION REPORT III
In its authorization of the Family Care pilot program in 1999 Wisconsin Act 9, the Legislature also directed the Legislative Audit Bureau to contract with an organization other than an agency of the State to evaluate the pilot program. Under the terms of a contract with the Audit Bureau, The Lewin Group, Inc., has completed its third report on implementation of the Family Care pilot program. The first two implementation reports were released in November 2000 and November 2001. In early 2003, The Lewin Group will also provide a report on the program’s outcomes and cost-effectiveness. A final implementation report is expected in June 2003.
Family Care is operating as a pilot program, under the terms of federal waivers, in nine counties. Jackson, Kenosha, Marathon, and Trempealeau counties operate Resource Centers, which provide information and assistance concerning services and program operations to both consumers and providers of long-term care services. Fond du Lac, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Portage, and Richland counties operate both Resource Centers and Care Management Organizations (CMOs), which coordinate care and manage capitated payments for those determined eligible for the Family Care benefit. Eligibility is limited to the elderly and adults with physical and developmental disabilities whose financial and functional status meet established criteria.
This third implementation report notes the progress made in implementing the Family Care
model in the pilot counties, as well as issues the State and the counties will need to
address as program expansion is considered. For example, to ensure unbiased information
is available to consumers making decisions about long-term care services and to comply
with federal requirements, a Family Care enrollment consultation function was established
in 2002 in each of the five counties operating CMOs. The number of inquiries to Resource
Centers continues to exceed goals established by contract, and CMOs have worked to expand
the availability of service providers to better meet their members’ needs. Finally, waiting
lists for home and community-based waiver services have been eliminated in each of the
five counties operating CMOs. Total program enrollment has increased from
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