Frequently Asked Questions

Note:  We are no longer accepting applications to join AXIS Healthcare through the MnDHO program, which will be ending at the end of 2010.  Please know that we are committed to serving our current MnDHO members through the end of 2010.  Current Members of AXIS through the MnDHO program should know:

• You DO NOT need to take any action at this time. 
• Member information meetings will be held in the summer. 
• Members will receive more information regarding the dates, times and locations of these meetings.
• Members should contact their Care Coordinator with any further questions.

FAQs about AXIS

What is AXIS Healthcare?
What does AXIS provide?
How can AXIS help me?
What are AXIS goals?
How can I best use the AXIS system?

Q. What is AXIS Healthcare?
A. AXIS Healthcare is a care management organization created in partnership between Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Services and Courage Center.

Q. What Does AXIS provide?
A. AXIS partners with members to coordinate all health care services, including acute care, mental health, transportation services, home health care, home-delivered meals, and chore services. We also focus on preventative care and engage members to actively maintain their health. AXIS staff also support members in meeting their housing, vocational, educational and social service needs, including needs such as MA paperwork. They can also facilitate referrals for services, schedule clinic appointments and arrange transportation.

Q.   How can AXIS help me?
A.   AXIS conducts an initial assessment of individuals with disabilities in order to provide appropriate and timely multidisciplinary care coordination for all plan members. AXIS works with each member to design a personalized plan that promotes independent living while building the right level of support through an assigned AXIS Care Coordinator.  This skilled team is each member's main source for information and care coordination. AXIS coordinators can secure timely and appropriate care and services for members. AXIS also has a nurse on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help triage issues that might arise at night or on the weekends.

Q.   What are AXIS’ goals?
A.   AXIS’ mission is to provide the right care at the right time and right place in the most cost-effective manner so people with disabilities live healthy lives. We envision a time when all people, regardless of disability, will have the health care service and support needed for lives they find meaningful and productive. Our strategy for meeting this goal is to work in partnership with persons with physical disabilities, as well as their key providers and payors, to address their needs by coordinating a high-quality, cost-effective network of specialized services spanning the continuum of care and support.

Q.   How can I best use the AXIS system?
A.   AXIS partners with members to coordinate all health care services, including acute care, mental health, transportation services, home health care, home-delivered meals, and chore services. We also focus on preventative care and engage members to actively maintain their health. AXIS staff also support members in meeting their housing, vocational, educational and social service needs, including needs such as Medical Assistance paperwork. They can also facilitate referrals for services, schedule clinic appointments and arrange transportation. 

FAQs about Medical Assistance

What is MDHS?
What is UCare?
What is UCare Complete?
Do I qualify for UCare Complete?

Q. What is MDHS?
A. MDHS is the Minnesota Department of Human Services. MDHS helps people meet their basic needs by providing or administering health care coverage, economic assistance, and a variety of services for children, people with disabilities and older Minnesotans.

Q.   What is UCare?
A. UCare is a health plan dedicated to delivering quality, personal health care services that help their members thrive. Since 1988, they have ensured that Minnesotans receive not only high quality health care, but also programs and services that help them take charge of their own health.

Q.  What is UCare Complete?
A.   UCare Complete is a UCare program established in partnership with AXIS Healthcare. UCare Complete is offered through the Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO) program.

FAQs about MnDHO

What is MnDHO?
What services will I get?
Can I keep seeing my regular doctor?
What does the Care Coordinator do? How will the Care Coordinator help me?
Do I have to pay anything to be in this program?
Am I eligible to enroll if I am currently on a waiver program?
 What happens to my waiver services after I enroll?
Who runs this program?

Q.   What is MnDHO?
A .  MnDHO is the Minnesota Disabilities Health Options. MnHO is a managed care product serving Medicaid-eligible adults aged 18 to 64 with physical disabilities. This project is designed to combine physician, hospital, home care, nursing home care, home and community-based services and other care into one coordinated care system. It is offered as an alternative to the fee-for-services system for people with physical disabilities on Medicaid, with or without Medicare. UCare, in partnership with AXIS Healthcare is offering a product through MnDHO called UCare Complete.

Q. What services will I get with MnDHO?
A. You will get the medical services provided under Medical Assistance (MA) and Medicare: doctor visits, hospitalizations, personal care attendants, nursing home care, and other services. The MnDHO health plan may also offer other services such as modifications to your home or vehicle, and extended personal care attendant services.

Q. Can I keep seeing my regular doctor?
A.  Look at the list of doctors in the UCare Complete network. If your regular doctor is on the list, then you can keep seeing that doctor. If your doctor is not on the list, and you wish to keep seeing that doctor, then perhaps you may not wish to enroll in MnDHO.

Q. What does the Care Coordinator do? How will the Care Coordinator help me?
A.  The Care Coordinator is your first point of contact with the health plan. Your Care Coordinator will answer your questions, work with your doctor to help you get the health care you need, help your doctors and other providers share information with each other, and help you with problems as they come up.

Q. Do I have to pay anything to be in this program?
A.  This program is at no additional cost. If you have a spenddown for Medical Assistance, you will continue paying the spenddown while you are on MnDHO. You will get a letter from the Minnesota Department of Human Services telling you how to pay the spenddown if you enroll in MnDHO. Click here for more information about spenddowns.

Q. Am I eligible to enroll, if I am currently on a waiver program?  What happens to my waiver services after I enroll?
A.  Persons who are on the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or the Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI) waivers are eligible to enroll in MnDHO. If you are currently getting CADI or TBI waiver services, you can continue to get them through MnDHO, as long as you still need the services. You will no longer have a county waiver case manager. Instead, your health coordinator will help you get these services. Persons on the Mental Retardation and Related Conditions (MR/RC), Community Alternative Care (CAC) or Elderly Waiver (EW) programs are not eligible to enroll in MnDHO.

Q. Who runs this program?
A.  MnDHO was designed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDHS), the state agency that oversees public health care programs. MnDHO is run by MDHS, in partnership with UCare Complete, a health plan, and AXIS HealthCare, a care management organization. AXIS HealthCare is a partnership between Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Services and Courage Center. The federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services also helps to oversee the program. The program has received funds and other assistance from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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