Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join ElderPlace?
We serve individuals who are:
- At least 55 years old.
- Living within the Providence ElderPlace service area which includes most of King County from Shoreline to Kent and parts of Bellevue and Issaquah. Call for more details (206) 320-5325.
- Eligible for Medicaid, Medicare or able to pay privately.
- In need of nursing facility level of care as defined by WAC 388-71-0435. (COPES level of care – needing extensive assistance with 2 activities of daily living or minimal assistance with 3 activities of daily living) COPES defines an activity of daily living as: eating, toileting, ambulation, transfer support, bathing and self-medication.
How do I join Providence ElderPlace?
Call us at (206) 320-5325 and ask to speak to the Intake Representative, who will arrange for you to visit the Providence ElderPlace Center. Round trip transportation will be provided, and you will have the opportunity to meet our staff and other participants. The visit to the Providence ElderPlace Center will help you make an informed decision about joining our program. You can email the Intake Representative at jenny.kentta@providence.org.
What happens to my Medicare/Medicaid coverage when I join?
Participants with Medicare and/or Medicaid do not lose their coverage, but authorize Providence ElderPlace to administer their benefits. This means that you maintain benefits covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid and become eligible for additional benefits offered by Providence ElderPlace. There are no hidden costs or deductibles. There are no co-pays for prescriptions, incontinence supplies, and some non-prescription medications are covered as well. Individuals who are currently enrolled in a managed care health plan must disenroll and agree to receive services exclusively through Providence ElderPlace in order to get these benefits.
Does anyone live at Providence ElderPlace?
No one lives at Providence ElderPlace. Most participants live in the community. In addition, Providence ElderPlace has supportive housing in three independent senior housing buildings. These units are staffed with home care 24 hours a day, seven days per week. We contract with Assisted Living Facilities, Adult Family Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities where participants can be transitioned if and when they can no longer remain safely at home. The primary goal of the program is to help qualified individuals remain in their own home for as long as possible.
Can I join without going to the day health program?
Attending the day health program is optional. Upon enrollment, the Providence ElderPlace team of health and social service professionals designates a regular attendance schedule for participants. Sometimes participants choose not to attend day health. However, if you are having a medical problem, there may be times when you must come to the center to be seen in the clinic. Regular attendance is highly encouraged since the ElderPlace staff would like to carefully monitor your health and safety.
Why do I have to change primary care providers?
Within the PACE model, the primary care providers play a key role in the coordination of integrated acute and long term care. People who join Providence ElderPlace are asked to change their primary care provider to Dr. Assad Kazemi or Dr. Laura Myre, the ElderPlace primary care physicians. Dr. Kazemi and Dr. Myre are both board certified geriatricians and are at the ElderPlace Center full time Monday through Friday. Their only patients are Providence ElderPlace participants. If a new enrollee feels strongly connected with their community physician ElderPlace will make arrangements after enrollment for the participant to see their existing physician once per quarter for the first year of enrollment.
What happens if I need to see a specialist?
If you need to see a specialist, such as a cardiologist or a pulmonologist, Dr. Kazemi or Dr. Myre will make the arrangements and Providence ElderPlace will provide the transportation. ElderPlace contracts with many specialists at the Minor & James Clinic, the Polyclinic and Swedish Hospital.
What happens if I am no longer able to stay in my home?
Providence ElderPlace will do everything possible to keep you in your own home. However, if you are no longer able to remain safely in your home, Providence ElderPlace will assess you for supportive housing or look for an adult family home or assisted living facility for you. You would still continue to come to the center on a regular schedule so that you can receive your medical care, therapies and other services.
What happens if I join Providence ElderPlace and I don’t like it?
Providence ElderPlace is a program of choice, and you may disenroll from the program if you wish. The ElderPlace Social Worker will assist you in returning to the services you were receiving before enrolling at ElderPlace
What happens if I am too sick to go to the ElderPlace Center?
If you are feeling too sick to attend the Center, call ElderPlace and ask to speak to a nurse. Depending on the situation, an ElderPlace nurse may come out to see you where you live. However, it may be important for you to be seen in the clinic in order for your physician to evaluate you. If you need to come in, round trip transportation will be provided.
How much does it cost to join?
If you are currently on Medicaid and enrolled in the COPES program, your participation will remain the same. Providence ElderPlace follows the same financial guidelines as the COPES program. Providence ElderPlace accepts private pay as well. Please call for more details.
(For Medicaid clients) If I join Providence ElderPlace, can I keep my chore worker?
Providence ElderPlace has many home care workers who work exclusively with ElderPlace participants. Providence ElderPlace also contracts with some home care agencies. If your home care situation is stable and you are happy with the services you are already receiving, Providence ElderPlace will try as much as possible to keep that service intact. If you are unhappy with your current home care services, Providence ElderPlace will arrange for a different home care worker.
(For Medicaid clients) If I join Providence ElderPlace, will the number of home care hours I have been approved for remain the same?
Probably not. The Providence ElderPlace home care coordinator will meet with you and/or your family to determine what tasks need to be done and when home care services are needed. Your center attendance and the support you may receive from family members will also be considered when calculating the number of chore hours you need. Because Providence ElderPlace will provide and coordinate all of your services, there is more flexibility in providing you with home care services during the times when you need it most.
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