Wednesday Weekly Coordination of Care Call

[Katie Peck]

Hi Everyone-

I would like to start using this forum to continue/contribute to our discussions on Wednesday mornings’ calls.

I would like to start with this broad question as a tribute to May’s Mental Health Awareness Month:
-What recent or common threads of mental health concerns/challenges are you hearing from your patients?

[Michelle Hargrave]

What I’m hearing from the ER is that people are only “meeting” via phone with mental health providers (ARMHS and case managers), don’t feel like they are getting the level of support as in person visits. People expressed feeling like they have nothing to do and they are isolated from others.

[Katie Peck]

Have people shared as to why “only meeting via phone”? Technology issue?

[Michelle Hargrave]

Due to COVID, there have definitely been additional barriers to accessing mental health services. I have heard many frustrations from parents about scheduling, rescheduling and postponing appointments. Many behavioral health agencies have shifted to telemedicine or virtual visits.

Particularly for pediatric patients, parents are reluctant to pursue services as their child may be too young to participate or may not have the attention span to have an online therapy session. As for psychological testing, there had already been a significant back log to establish – now families are waiting even longer as all psychological testing (for children at least) must be performed in-person. Many diagnostic assessments and testing appointments have been put on hold for an undetermined amount of time. For children this can mean that when the next school year begins, they may not have the testing results needs to make appropriate accommodations (IEP/504 plans) to help the child succeed in the educational environment.

On the other hand, I have heard positive feedback that telemedicine and virtual visits are being offered for therapy sessions. Some individuals are hopeful this will continue as they live a fair distance from Duluth.

For those in WI – I was recently in contact with the scheduling coordinator at LSCHC (Superior)… she doesn’t anticipate that they will be seeing anyone in their office until September! This is largely because the space they use is not adequate to meet social distancing guidelines. I was told the wait times to establish therapy services is approximately 6-9 months! There is already a HUGE shortage of behavioral health services in WI, so this is a huge set back for children than carry WI MA as there are only 2-3 agencies that will accept WI MA.

As Anita had mentioned, supportive services are not as available as they previously were and helping to obtain those services is very difficult currently.

[Katie Peck]

***MN New Insulin Protection Program 7/2020

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE MINNESOTA INSULIN SAFETY NET PROGRAM

You are receiving this email because you are an authorized prescriber of prescriptions.
MS 214.122 provides that the Board of Nursing shall at least annually inform licensees who are authorized to prescribe prescription drugs of the availability of the Board of Pharmacy’s website that contains information on resources and programs to assist patients with the cost of prescription drugs.
Minnesotans in urgent need of a 30-day supply of affordable insulin should go to MNinsulin.org where you can see if you qualify, download the application, and learn how to apply.

Minnesotans can find information about the program, including how to receive up to a 90-day, continuing need supply of insulin here: Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program: Information for Patients. A list of MNsure-certified Navigators who can assist in applying for the continuing need program is available here: Navigator Insulin Assistance Directory. You can also search for a MNsure-certified Navigator on MNinsulin.org.

Contact information for insulin manufacturers:
• Lilly Minnesota Patient Assistance Program: Call 855-447-8412 or visit their website for more information.
• Novo Nordisk: Call 1-866-310-7549 or visit their website for more information.
• Sanofi Minnesota Continuing Safety Net Program: Call 1-866-489-5957 or visit their website for more information.

About the Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program
In 2020, the Minnesota Legislature passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which Governor Tim Walz signed into law on April 15, 2020. The Act creates an Insulin Safety Net Program that will aid individuals who can’t afford insulin. The program is made up of two parts: 1) the urgent need program, and 2) the continuing need program.

The urgent need program allows eligible individuals who are in urgent need of insulin to get a one-time, 30-day supply of insulin from their pharmacy, for a $35 co-pay. An urgent need for insulin means that you have less than a 7-day supply of insulin and you will likely have significant health consequences if you run out of insulin.

The continuing need program requires insulin manufacturers to provide insulin to eligible individuals for up to one year, with the option to renew annually. Throughout the year you are determined eligible, the manufacturers will provide your prescribed insulin for a co-pay of no more than $50 for each 90-day supply. Some individuals with insurance may be referred to a manufacturer’s co-pay program, which waives all or part of the co-pay that the patient normally has to pay, if the co-pay program provides you a better value.
For more information, visit the Board of Pharmacy Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program webpage

[Author]

Posts