[QUAD-L] BSCIP

[LorenLW]

There's possibly some good news or so the rumor has it.  I have been informed by the client advocate, Karl, that my letter stirred up quite a bit of excitement in Tallahassee resulting in the director of the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program and my caseworker having their chains yanked fairly hard.  I do not have any definite details but it seems a good number of people are taking note hopefully resulting in some positive changes.  The other letters that will follow mine should be salt in the wound.

I may have found a way around a lot of problems with the BSCIP.  By having them force me to go through a nursing agency they have increased the funding for my plan by $2000/mo.  Unfortunately that is all going to a nursing agency but there is a silver lining to it. 

I hope everyone has heard about the Consumer Directed Care Program.  So far it has been a pilot study with only 12 people throughout the state.  It does return control to our hands as to who provides our care and will get them paid.  I still do not understand all the ramifications and complications of this program but it looks like it will be difficult for us as individuals to manage as the management aspect falls on our shoulders.  Here is the good part.  Since they have increased the funding on my program that funding will be carried over into the Consumer Directed Care Program.  This will give me a substantial increase in the amount of money that I will have for paying care providers.  It may take several months for this to happen.  No one seems to know anything specific at this point.  So far I don't even know if it's going to be a reality.

Here's how it looks like things could happen for all of us if it's appropriate to your situation.  Get your caseworker to provide your care through a home health agency.  That will increase the amount of money in your treatment plan substantially.  Be sure to have plenty of backup people, as agencies are extremely unreliable if not deadly. Then call 1-866-232-3733 and ask to be put on the interested parties list for the CDC Program.  They don't call it the waiting list as Bill explained previously as then they must take action within 90 days.  That's how they dodge that bullet.  Please do not jump into this hastily.  I was forced into the situation but hope to come out of this with more money and control of my own life once again.

As I call it, the BS Program will not run my life!

Fond wishes to all,
Loren