ACA and its Impact on Persons with Disabilities

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Employment Opportunities in the ACA

Click to edit Master subtitle style Click to edit Master subtitle style Matt Knutson MN Department of Human Services

Why Employment Matters: People with Disabilities Want to Work   Employment rate for working-age Americans: 68.2% Employment rate for working-age Americans with any disability: 34.9%

American Community Survey, 2009

  Knutson 96% of students with disabilities think they will work after high school.

National Longitudinal Transition Study

The majority of non-employed people with disabilities would like to be working.

2008 Rutgers University News Release

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Minnesota’s Response: Making Work Part of the Plan

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Minnesota’s Policy Development: MN DMIE Background

   Created a comprehensive and coordinated set of health care and employment supports Provided this benefit set to employed individuals with serious mental illness who were NOT already determined disabled by SSA Delay or prevent these individuals from becoming dependent on the disability system Knutson

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Minnesota’s Policy Development: DMIE Model for Coordinated, Integrated Service Delivery that Supports Employment Outcomes    Wellness Employment Navigation Services (navigator assigned to each participant; conduct a comprehensive assessment and develop a client centered plan)

Employment Support Services

 Job placement, career counseling, work place visits, accommodation assessments, employer/coworker education, financial/budget assistance, 24/7 EAP access, resume/interview skill building, etc.

Comprehensive health/behavioral health services

(Medicaid-like benefit set) through a contracted health plan Knutson

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Minnesota’s Policy Development: Outcomes from MN DMIE Study  Outcomes of personal navigation and access to employment services combined with health care included:  Fewer applications to SSDI      Improved functioning Higher earnings Greater connection to a regular medical provider for routine care and preventative services Lower rates of medical debt Less likely to delay or skip needed care due to cost Knutson

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Long Term Care Services and Supports in Affordable Care Act   New opportunities under Medicaid Community First Choice Option;   Improving existing Section 1915(i) option; New state balancing incentives;    Spousal impoverishment protections; Extension of Money Follows the Person demonstration; Expansion of Aging and Disability Resource Centers Knutson

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Choice and Greater Independence Create Employment Opportunities  Affordable Care Act provides: - Increased access to insurance - More choices  Employment opportunities: - Long-term care services in more settings - Potential for employment services in exchanges Knutson

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Making Work Part of the Plan:

MN’s Long Term Care Assessment  Employment in Long-term Care Assessment  Person Centered Interview  Employment Module  Certified Assessor Training Knutson

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Making Work Part of the Plan:

Options Counseling, Benefits Planning and Referral System MN’s Disability Linkage Line & Disability Benefits 101 (DB101) subsystem offer person-centered information, resources and tools Help people with disabilities:  better understand benefits and work incentives    explore work as an option make informed choices about work achieve better employment outcomes Knutson

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Making Work Part of the Plan:

Referrals to Employment Supports Supported, Competitive Employment  Inclusive    Work Options and Choice Career Paths Competitive Wages

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Additional Things to Consider    Individuals with histories of limited health care coverage and access will need significant outreach and positive recruitment efforts. State programs, due to limited resources, are designed to restrict eligibility. ACA requires a paradigm shift to expand health care coverage and create an enrollment process that is seamless and automatic for individuals. Tailor outreach to be welcoming and inviting, and conduct thorough and intensive follow up efforts. Knutson

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Knutson For More Information Contact: Matt Knutson : [email protected]

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