Do we have to pay to join ICS?

No. There is no fee to join ICS.

How do I qualify?

You must be 18 years or older, live in the Bronx, Manhattan, or Brooklyn, be Medicaid eligible, and meet the nursing home level of care.

How do you join?

Call us toll free at 1-877-427-2525, email us at info@icsny.org, or contact us online.

How long does it take to join?

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks to join ICS.

Can I keep going to my same doctor and hospital?

Yes, ICS members keep regular “fee for service” Medicaid to cover things like hospitals, doctors, lab and radiology. This means that our members keep their current Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage for physician and hospital services. ICS primarily covers home and community based services.

What would change in my covered benefits? And why?

Enrollment in ICS requires that members use network providers for the covered services. The ICS network consists of a wide variety of providers and all of the sites are accessible to people with disabilities.

I need my medications. Will I get them when I need them?

As of January 1, 2006, ICS will no longer cover prescriptions medications. Your care manager will help you to get the medications you need by assisting you with enrolling in a prescription plan under Medicare Part D or using Medicaid in your local pharmacy. For more information on Medicare Part D please see: http://www.health.state.ny.us/

I make too much money to qualify for Medicaid; can your organization help?

Many people can still qualify for Medicaid coverage on a “surplus income” basis if they have extensive medical costs to manage (e.g. home care costs, prescription drug costs, etc.). ICS has a Medicaid eligibility specialist who can help review your budget and prepare a Medicaid application on your behalf if appropriate.

Can I work while I’m on Medicaid, if so how much can I make?

You can work and still receive Medicaid. The amount you can earn without affecting your Medicaid eligibility depends on your Medicaid status. Disabled members who are Social Security recipients (e.g. Social Security Disability – SSD or Supplemental Security Income – SSI) may be eligible for the PASS program. There is also a Medicaid Buy-In program that allows working recipients to pay for their Medicaid benefit. The ICS Medicaid eligibility staff can help you determine which program applies to you.

I own my own home; will Medicaid make me sell my house?

No, you can own a house and receive Medicaid as long as you live in it. However, Medicaid can place a lien on any proceeds from the sale of the house.

I want to keep my current home care worker and home care agency, why can’t ICS work it out?

There are two types of home care workers: home health aides (HHA) and home attendants or personal care workers (HA or PCA). ICS has contracts with most of the licensed agencies that employ HHAs/HAs and can usually work out an arrangement to keep the same worker in place. If the current worker is a HA or PCA arranged through the New York City Human Resources Administration then the agency may have a contract with The City of New York and may not want to sign other contracts.

Do I have to get home care if I don’t want any?

In order to qualify for managed long-term care, a member must need either home care or adult day health services.

If I want to change my personal care aide can I? Will I be penalized by ICS or the home care agency?

Your home care worker can be changed at your request and there is no penalty.

If I am not satisfied with the home care agency I am assigned, can I be switched to another one?

Yes. ICS contracts with over 15 Licensed Home Care Agencies who are participants in our Provider Network. ICS staff from the Paraprofessional Services Unit will assist you in selecting a new home care provider.

I currently receive four hours a day home care service. There are times when I go to the hospital and have to wait five or six hours before being seen by a doctor. My aide usually leaves me there at the hospital when the four hours are up, and in some cases, as soon as we enter. Will ICS be able to provide me with the extra hours if and when I need them?

ICS can authorize additional hours for scheduled appointments when needed. We communicate with the home care providers on a daily basis and can approve the extra time needed so that a worker can remain with the member throughout the appointment and accompany him/her home safely.

There are times when I need extra help. Can ICS authorize more home care hours? Do I need to fill out an M11Q every time I want to increase or decrease my hours?

No, ICS does not need an M11Q to change your hours. Your ICS Care Manager will work with you to determine the number of hours that will best meet your needs. We understand emergency situations may occur when extra hours must be authorized and an M11Q is not needed.

My home care worker is employed by home attendant agency which contracts with the City. Can my worker transfer to an agency ICS works with to remain with me?

Yes. A staff person from the Paraprofessional Home Care Unit will work with your worker and assist them with the process of being hired by a home care agency which contracts with ICS.

Will ICS pay for a wheelchair or its parts?

Members who need new wheelchairs are evaluated by a Physical Therapist to determine the type of chair that is needed. ICS also has a dedicated wheelchair repair service to help members maintain their current wheelchairs in good working order and arrange for replacement of parts.

Can ICS pay for the repair of my sports wheelchair?

It is ICS’s policy to assist members to maintain two chairs, so members are asked to identify a primary chair and a back-up chair. If a sports wheelchair is either your primary or back-up chair then ICS will pay for the repairs on a sports wheelchair. If a chair has been acquired through Medicare, ICS will be responsible for paying 20% of the repair costs.

How long does it take to get a wheelchair?

Arrangements for a new wheelchair can take approximately 6 to 8 months; although our goal is to reach an average of 3 months. Members need a doctor’s prescription before an appointment can be made for the actual wheelchair clinic. Then the coordination of benefits (if you also have Medicare or a primary commercial insurance) can take additional time, before the chair is actually ordered. When the wheelchair does arrive, we make sure that it is properly fitted to meet our member’s individual needs.

Will ICS pay for wheelchair maintenance?

ICS offers a weekly Member Directed Wheelchair Maintenance Workshop to teach our interested members to maintain and clean their own chairs (or power scooter). The Workshop is staffed by an experienced wheelchair technician, and the tools and cleaning supplies are available.

What if I need help with housing, can ICS help?

ICS staff can help you fill out the proper paper work for affordable and accessible housing in New York City and they will work with the New York City Housing Authority’s Disability Unit to make sure your case is given the highest priority afforded under NYC regulation

If I live in a Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) setting do I qualify?

Yes, as long as we can provide home care or housekeeping services in that setting.

Are there social events or programs for a younger person?

ICS hosts several member directed social and arts programs that include: Artist on Wheels, The Jewelry Café and, The Knitting & Crochet Circle, The Travel Club, The Writers Group, and The Movie Club. These groups meet once a week. From time to time, ICS also hosts events that provide members with an opportunity to socialize with one another and ICS staff.

How can I become more involved in ICS?

ICS has a Member Council that meets on a regular basis and provides feedback and advise to the leadership team. ICS Member Council representatives are members who are committed to participating as a representative for themselves and others, who are willing to learn and share information with other members and who are willing and able to communicate their thoughts and concerns to both other members and to senior managers.

Can ICS help with jobs or training?

ICS care managers can link members to vocational (job) training programs through Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP).

If I have a complaint whom do I talk to?

ICS care managers and advocacy staff will address any member complaint and direct all expressions of dissatisfaction for investigation and resolution.

Is ICS an HMO?

ICS is a not-for-profit, Medicaid managed long-term plan. It is not an HMO. This means that all long-term care services are coordinated and paid for by ICS, but acute care services, such as hospital stays and doctor visits, continue to be paid for by Fee-for-Service Medicaid.

Do you have Spanish-speaking staff?

Yes, we do have bilingual staff. For members who speak other languages, ICS care managers can access the AT&T Language Line for help in translation.

How is ICS funded?

ICS is funded through Medicaid revenue and charitable grants or contributions.

How long has the organization existed?

ICS officially opened its doors April 1, 2000.

Who oversees ICS?

The New York State Department of Health. You can find more information about the New York State Department of Health at: http://www.health.state.ny.us/ .