Resources for Individuals
with Intellectual or Developmental Disability or Mental Illness
in Nursing Facilities or Transitioning from Nursing Facilities
Managed Care Organizations in Iowa
As of April 1, 2016, Iowa’s Medicaid program transitioned most Medicaid members to a managed care program called IA Health Link. IA Health Link members have all been given the option to sign up with one of the three Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). These organizations will be managing all Medicaid billable services for MCO-enrolled Medicaid members in Iowa, including mental health and substance use services. For information about how to obtain services, you may contact Iowa Medicaid Enterprise (IME) or the designated MCO’s member services information lines.
Member Services
IME Member Services / (800) 338-8366Amerigroup Iowa, Inc. / (800) 600-4441
Amerihealth Caritas of Iowa, Inc. / (855) 332-2440
UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley, Inc. / (800) 464-9484
Specialized Services offered by MCOs: psychiatric, psychological, individual and group therapy services which are available through many Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) and other private providers who have contracts with MCOs to serve Medicaid members throughout the State.
Other specialized services available through MCOs include: community support services, psychiatric in home nursing, medication management, assertive community treatment, intensive psychiatric rehabilitation, substance use services, mobile therapy, integrated health homes, peer support services, family peer support services and habilitation. MCOs can assist with community transition, intensive case management and joint treatment planning for high need individuals. As of April 1, 2016, under MCO contracts, all Medicaid members in an Iowa nursing facility will have a Community Based Case Manger through the designated MCO.
Services may be accessed by contacting the appropriate MCO for the individual you are trying to assist or you may contact providers of behavioral health services directly in order to arrange any needed services.
Mental Health and Disability Services Regions
Iowa’s MHDS Regions provide local access to mental health and disability services for adults. Regional leaders, guided by the regional management plan, coordinate quality community services that support individuals with disabilities in obtaining their maximum independence. MHDS regions fund services for eligible individuals that are not eligible for Medicaid or other insurance and/or fund services that are not funded by Medicaid or other insurance. All regions are required to provide treatment services, basic crisis response services, supported community living, supported employment, recovery oriented services, and service coordination. Additional information on MHDS Regions is available at: http://dhs.iowa.gov/mhds-providers/providers-regions/regions.
Contact information for the regional CEOs can be found at: http://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/Regional-Contacts.pdf.
The Department of Human Services accredits providers of services to individuals with mental illness, intellectual and developmental disabilities. These providers include community mental health centers, mental health service providers, case management providers, and supported community living providers. A list of these providers and services they are accredited to provide is available at: http://dhs.iowa.gov/mhds/service-providers.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers – LifeLong Links
LifeLong Links empowers individuals to effectively navigate their health and other long-term support options. Through a single coordinated system of information and access, LifeLong Links helps minimize confusion, enhances individual choice, and supports informed decision-making for persons seeking long-term support services. Long-term support refers to a wide range of in-home, community-based, and institutional services and programs designed to help individuals access service.
LifeLong Links offers: Options counseling, assessment of individual needs and preferences, unbiased information about community based resources and options for independent living, person-directed interactive decision making support, referral assistance, advocacy for individual needs, assistance in accessing long term services and supports, help with avoidance of nursing home placement or readmission to the hospital, and follow up to ensure that individuals are connected to needed services. Special assistance is available with: Medicare Part D comparisons, Extra Help prescription assistance program, Medicare Savings Program, Rent Reimbursement applications, property tax applications.
Anyone who is over 60 or is looking for assistance for someone 18 years or older with a disability, including family members, caregivers, professionals and providers, may utilize LifeLong Links. Aging and Disability Resource Centers are housed within Area Agencies on Aging. LifeLongs Links is available Statewide by calling: 1-866-468-7887, or via internet at: www.lifelonglinks.org.
Services and Advocacy for individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities
The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council promotes the development of a coordinated system of services and supports that provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to be independent, productive, integrated and included in their communities. To learn more, please visit the website: http://iddcouncil.idaction.org/.
The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
The mission of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is to protect the health, safety, welfare, and rights of individuals residing in long-term care by investigating complaints, seeking resolutions to problems, and providing advocacy with the goal of enhancing quality of life and care. The Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are there to help answer questions about assisted living and elder group programs, nursing and residentialcare facilities, as well as the wide variety of issues that arise. They are here to support the choices of residents and tenants and act as an advocate.
A Long Term Care Ombudsman: Resolves complaints made by or on behalf of residents of long-term care facilities, Educates consumers and long-term care providers about residents' rights and good care practices, Promotes community involvement through volunteer opportunities, Provides information to the public on nursing home and other long-term care facilities and services, residents' rights, and legislative and policy issues, Advocates for residents' rights and quality care in nursing homes, residential care facilities and assisted living programs, Promotes the development of citizen organizations, family councils and resident councils
The services of an Ombudsman are available to any of the following: Residents or tenants of a nursing home, residential care facility or assisted living program, family members or friends of a long-term care resident or tenant, any individual or citizen interested in the welfare of the residents, individuals and families who are considering long-term care placement, and nursing home administrators or employees with a concern about a resident at their facility.
Additional Links and resources:
A map of MHDS regions is available at:
http://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/MHDS-Regions-Approved-Map.pdf.
A map of service areas and contact information for Area Agencies on Aging is available at: https://www.iowaaging.gov/iowas-area-agencies-aging.
The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and more information can be found at: https://www.iowaaging.gov/long-term-care-ombudsman.
Iowa Compass, Iowans can find information about disability-related programs and services for Iowa residents at Iowa Compass: 1-800-779-2001, or 1-877-686-0032 for TTY, or on the web at: http://search.iowacompass.org/Search.aspx
The University of Iowa Center for Excellence on Disabilities: http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/cdd/ucedd/ilend/
Iowa Affordable Assisted Living Directory
Go to: http://www.iowafinanceauthority1.com/AffordableAssistedLivingFacilityFinder.asp There are two links, one for, "Iowa Affordable Assisted Living Directory" and the second is for, "Iowa Assisted Living Programs Serving Medicaid-Eligible Tenants." These links will take you to a drop-down box where you can search for assisted living facilities by county.
Information on how to find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings throughout Iowa:
Alcoholics Anonymous/Intergroup – Iowa; www.aa-iowa.org
1620 Pleasant, Suite 228, Des Moines, IA 50314, (712) 262-3654
Statewide phone: (800)-207-2172
Information on assistance related to gambling, the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program through the Iowa Department of Public Health can offer services throughout the state: http://idph.iowa.gov/igtp, http://www.1800betsoff.org, or by phone at 1-800-BETS OFF.
For other assistance with locating services: Iowa’s 2-1-1 resources, dial 2-1-1 for assistance in locating services in your local area, or via the web: http://www.211.org/search can be searched by zip code or city.
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