• Home
  • Fair Use Disclaimer
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Social Media Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • FTC Compliance
  • Earnings Disclaimer
  • DMCA Compliance
  • Copyright Notice
  • Anti-Spam Policy
ParentingHere.com
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Baby Bouncers
    • Baby Car Seats
    • Baby Clothes
    • Baby Jumpers
    • Baby Toys
    • Baby Walkers
    • Boys Clothing
    • Child Booster Car Seats
    • Child Carriers
    • Childrens Toys
    • Craft Supplies
    • Cribs
    • Funny Parenting T Shirts
    • Girls Clothing
    • Parenting Books
    • Strollers
  • PARENTING TIPS

    The risks and signs you need help – Newborn Baby

    2023 Year of the Rabbit Baby: A Bright and Cheerful Future Ahead!

    It’s Okay to Have Gender Disappointment: Here’s How to Deal, From a Therapist

    How to wean a stubborn baby

    I was pregnant on 9/11. 20 years later, here’s how I found hope after that day

    How to tell your boss you’re pregnant

    Alanis Morissette says filmmakers took advantage of her when she had PPD

    More than a woman’s issue: Male infertility is a growing crisis

    When Will You Leave the Hospital After Giving Birth?

  • PREGNANCY

    How to Raise a Respectful, Loving Child – Podcast Ep 101

    9 Reasons Why You Might Need a Labor Induction

    151 Cute Girl Names That Are the Most Adorable

    RSV: Everything You Need To Know

    Here’s What to Try If You Want to Get Pregnant With Twins

    230 of the Most Funny Jokes for Kids

    Surviving Baby’s First Week – Baby Chick

    How to Naturally Turn a Posterior Baby

    20 Myths About Babies That Were Thought to Be True

  • BABY CARE

    Saranoni, Burt’s Bees, Freshly Picked, and More! — The Baby Cubby

    Comparing the MESA, MESA V2 and MESA MAX Inf — The Baby Cubby

    Simply Darling with Jamie Kay — The Baby Cubby

    Five Tips for Taking Care of Baby on Your Own — The Baby Cubby

    Babyletto, Mebie Baby and More! — The Baby Cubby

    Frequently Asked Questions of Early Pregnancy — The Baby Cubby

    Protecting Our Well Being By Not Forgetting Ourselves — The Baby Cubby

    Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with the Limited Edition JADE RABBIT — The Baby Cubby

    UNBOXING The UPPAbaby VISTA V2 in Jade Rabbit and How to Assemb — The Baby Cubby

  • TODDLERS

    Why I feel so good about my daughter’s holiday gifts this year

    What parenst should know about the RSV, flu and COVID “tripledemic”

    Everything parents should know about school’s biggest pests

    10 New books for kids of all ages

    4 executive functioning skills that are more important than math or writing

    The secret ingredient to improve kids’ health is kindness

    Can role playing encourage girls in STEM?

    20 toy advent calendars for kids to countdown to Christmas 2022

    How to choose extracurriculars based on your kid’s zodiac sign

  • TEENS

    No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

    A “Willingness to Learn” is Key to Your Teen’s Success in College

    Letting Our College Freshman Work at Summer Camp Was the Best Decision We Made as Parents

    Do You Charge Rent When Your Young Adult Children Live at Home?

    Who Knew My Teen Pulling Away Would Hurt My Heart This Much

    What Parenting From Prison Looks Like For One Father

    Getting a Dog Now That My Teen Are Older Has Been Magical

    5 Reasons Why College Students Should Prioritize Building Relationships with Academic Advisors

    Helping My Daughter Find Balance and Happiness in High School

  • HEALTH CARE

    Critics cite failures in health care for vulnerable foster children

    An evaluation of pediatric Mpox specimens

    Proximity to residential green space linked with higher birth weight

    Fathers with poor coparenting relationships more likely to feel depressed

    Smoking during pregnancy reduces childhood brain growth in very preterm babies

    Study finds high prevalence of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

    Outdoor play reduces some of the negative effects of screen time for young children

    CHLA launches first clinical trial for Down syndrome regression disorder with $5.3 million NIH grant

    Some parents may not be making the most of well child visits, new poll suggests

  • ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS

    You Can Get A 2-Pack of Cartoon Remote Control Cars That’ll Have Your Kids Racing Around For Hours

    18 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City | MommyPoppins

    16 Robots Kids Can Actually Make

    Top Types of Parenting Styles from Gentle Parenting to Tiger Mom: Which Is Best? | MommyPoppins

    Homemade Bubbles Using Sugar | Kids Activities Blog

    Indoor Swimming Pools in NYC Offering Day Passes | MommyPoppins

    How to Make Fabric Covered Letters • Kids Activities Blog

    The Best Indoor Ice Skating Rinks for Long Island Kids | MommyPoppins

    Doctor Pretend Play Kids Printables

  • Contact
  • About
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Baby Bouncers
    • Baby Car Seats
    • Baby Clothes
    • Baby Jumpers
    • Baby Toys
    • Baby Walkers
    • Boys Clothing
    • Child Booster Car Seats
    • Child Carriers
    • Childrens Toys
    • Craft Supplies
    • Cribs
    • Funny Parenting T Shirts
    • Girls Clothing
    • Parenting Books
    • Strollers
  • PARENTING TIPS

    The risks and signs you need help – Newborn Baby

    2023 Year of the Rabbit Baby: A Bright and Cheerful Future Ahead!

    It’s Okay to Have Gender Disappointment: Here’s How to Deal, From a Therapist

    How to wean a stubborn baby

    I was pregnant on 9/11. 20 years later, here’s how I found hope after that day

    How to tell your boss you’re pregnant

    Alanis Morissette says filmmakers took advantage of her when she had PPD

    More than a woman’s issue: Male infertility is a growing crisis

    When Will You Leave the Hospital After Giving Birth?

  • PREGNANCY

    How to Raise a Respectful, Loving Child – Podcast Ep 101

    9 Reasons Why You Might Need a Labor Induction

    151 Cute Girl Names That Are the Most Adorable

    RSV: Everything You Need To Know

    Here’s What to Try If You Want to Get Pregnant With Twins

    230 of the Most Funny Jokes for Kids

    Surviving Baby’s First Week – Baby Chick

    How to Naturally Turn a Posterior Baby

    20 Myths About Babies That Were Thought to Be True

  • BABY CARE

    Saranoni, Burt’s Bees, Freshly Picked, and More! — The Baby Cubby

    Comparing the MESA, MESA V2 and MESA MAX Inf — The Baby Cubby

    Simply Darling with Jamie Kay — The Baby Cubby

    Five Tips for Taking Care of Baby on Your Own — The Baby Cubby

    Babyletto, Mebie Baby and More! — The Baby Cubby

    Frequently Asked Questions of Early Pregnancy — The Baby Cubby

    Protecting Our Well Being By Not Forgetting Ourselves — The Baby Cubby

    Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with the Limited Edition JADE RABBIT — The Baby Cubby

    UNBOXING The UPPAbaby VISTA V2 in Jade Rabbit and How to Assemb — The Baby Cubby

  • TODDLERS

    Why I feel so good about my daughter’s holiday gifts this year

    What parenst should know about the RSV, flu and COVID “tripledemic”

    Everything parents should know about school’s biggest pests

    10 New books for kids of all ages

    4 executive functioning skills that are more important than math or writing

    The secret ingredient to improve kids’ health is kindness

    Can role playing encourage girls in STEM?

    20 toy advent calendars for kids to countdown to Christmas 2022

    How to choose extracurriculars based on your kid’s zodiac sign

  • TEENS

    No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

    A “Willingness to Learn” is Key to Your Teen’s Success in College

    Letting Our College Freshman Work at Summer Camp Was the Best Decision We Made as Parents

    Do You Charge Rent When Your Young Adult Children Live at Home?

    Who Knew My Teen Pulling Away Would Hurt My Heart This Much

    What Parenting From Prison Looks Like For One Father

    Getting a Dog Now That My Teen Are Older Has Been Magical

    5 Reasons Why College Students Should Prioritize Building Relationships with Academic Advisors

    Helping My Daughter Find Balance and Happiness in High School

  • HEALTH CARE

    Critics cite failures in health care for vulnerable foster children

    An evaluation of pediatric Mpox specimens

    Proximity to residential green space linked with higher birth weight

    Fathers with poor coparenting relationships more likely to feel depressed

    Smoking during pregnancy reduces childhood brain growth in very preterm babies

    Study finds high prevalence of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

    Outdoor play reduces some of the negative effects of screen time for young children

    CHLA launches first clinical trial for Down syndrome regression disorder with $5.3 million NIH grant

    Some parents may not be making the most of well child visits, new poll suggests

  • ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS

    You Can Get A 2-Pack of Cartoon Remote Control Cars That’ll Have Your Kids Racing Around For Hours

    18 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City | MommyPoppins

    16 Robots Kids Can Actually Make

    Top Types of Parenting Styles from Gentle Parenting to Tiger Mom: Which Is Best? | MommyPoppins

    Homemade Bubbles Using Sugar | Kids Activities Blog

    Indoor Swimming Pools in NYC Offering Day Passes | MommyPoppins

    How to Make Fabric Covered Letters • Kids Activities Blog

    The Best Indoor Ice Skating Rinks for Long Island Kids | MommyPoppins

    Doctor Pretend Play Kids Printables

  • Contact
  • About
No Result
View All Result
ParentingHere.com
No Result
View All Result
Home HEALTH CARE

Critics cite failures in health care for vulnerable foster children

by admin
January 25, 2023
in HEALTH CARE


Need Help? If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

One night last month, a 9-year-old boy who had autism and talked about killing himself was among about 70 foster care children and youth under state supervision sleeping in hotels across Georgia.

Georgia’s designated health insurer for foster care, Amerigroup Community Care, had denied the boy placement in a psychiatric residential treatment facility, said Audrey Brannen, coordinator of complex care for Georgia’s child welfare agency. He stayed in a hotel for more than a month before receiving a temporary emergency placement in a foster home, she said.

The boy and the other children staying in the hotels lacked permanent placements, Brannen said, and many weren’t getting help for their complex mental and behavioral needs.

The frustration over gaps in care had gotten so bad that Candice Broce, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services, sent a scathing six-page letter to the state Medicaid agency in August — signaling an unusual interagency conflict. She argued that Amerigroup, a unit of Elevance Health, isn’t being held accountable for failures in care, and that its foster care contract should not be renewed.

“Simply put, the state’s most vulnerable children cannot access the physical, mental, or behavioral health treatment they need — and deserve,” Broce wrote.

Amerigroup declined to comment on Broce’s remarks specifically, saying it had not seen her letter. But Michael Perry, an Amerigroup Georgia spokesperson, said the insurer hosts collaborative monthly meetings with state agencies to hear any concerns and will “continue to work on behalf of these vulnerable individuals to ensure they have access to the appropriate healthcare and support services they need to be successful.”

Such problems extend beyond Georgia, according to Sandy Santana, executive director of the national advocacy group Children’s Rights. While foster care grabs headlines mainly in cases of abuse or neglect — even deaths — the failures of states and insurers in providing adequate health care for these children are widespread and occur largely without public scrutiny.

“These kids cycle in and out of ERs, and others are not accessing the services,” said Santana, whose group has filed lawsuits in more than 20 states over foster care problems. “This is an issue throughout the country.”

Nearly all children in foster care are eligible for Medicaid, the state-federal program for those with low incomes, but states decide on the delivery mechanism. Georgia is among at least 10 states that have turned to managed-care companies to deliver specialized services exclusively for foster kids and others under state supervision. At least three more — North Carolina, New Mexico, and Oklahoma — are taking similar steps. But regardless of the structure, getting timely access to care for many of these vulnerable kids is a problem, Santana said.

Obtaining mental health care for privately insured children can be a struggle too, of course, but for children in state custody, the challenge is even greater, said Dr. Lisa Zetley, a Milwaukee pediatrician and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Foster Care, Adoption, and Kinship Care.

“This is a unique population,” she said. “They have experienced quite of bit of toxic stress prior to entering foster care.”

For states that use specialty managed care for these kids, transparency and oversight remain spotty and the quality of the care remains a troubling unknown, said Andy Schneider, a research professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.

Illinois, for example, has paid more than $350 million since 2020 to insurance giant Centene Corp. to manage health coverage for more than 35,000 current and former foster care children. But last year, an investigation by the Illinois Answers Project newsroom found Centene’s YouthCare unit repeatedly failed to deliver basic medical services such as dental visits and immunizations to thousands of these kids. Federal officials are now probing allegations about the contract.

Centene said YouthCare has not been informed of any probe. In a statement, the company said Illinois Answers Project’s reporting was based on outdated information and didn’t account for its recent progress as it works “to ensure that families have the access they need to high-quality care and services.”

In some cases, child advocates say, the care kids do get is not appropriate. In Maryland, the local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, Disability Rights Maryland, and Children’s Rights filed a lawsuit this month against the state accusing it of failing to conduct adequate oversight of psychotropic drug prescribing for children in its foster care system. As many as 34% the state’s foster children are given psychotropic drugs, court documents said, although most of them don’t have a documented psychiatric diagnosis.

In Georgia, Lisa Rager said she and her husband, Wes, know well the hurdles to obtaining services for foster kids. The suburban Atlanta couple has cared for more than 100 foster children and adopted 11 of them from state custody.

She said one child waited more than a year to see a specialist. Getting approvals for speech or occupational therapy is “a lot of trouble.”

Rager said she pays out-of-pocket for psychiatric medications for three of her children because of insurance hassles. “It’s better for me to pay cash than wait on Amerigroup,” she said.

Such problems occur often, Broce said in her letter. Amerigroup’s “narrow definition for ‘medically necessary services’ is — on its face — more restrictive than state and federal standards,” she wrote.

“Far too often, case managers and foster families are told that the next available appointment is weeks or months out,” she told the state’s Joint Appropriations Committee on Jan. 17. Broce added that her agency has formed a legal team to fight Amerigroup treatment denials.

Amerigroup’s Perry said its clinical policies are approved by the state, and follow regulatory and care guidelines.

In a recent 12-month period, Amerigroup received $178.6 million in government funds for its specialty foster care plan that serves about 32,000 Georgia children, with the large majority being foster children and kids who have been adopted from state custody. The contract is currently up for rebidding.

David Graves, a spokesperson for the Department of Community Health, which runs Medicaid in the state, said the agency would not comment on Broce’s letter because it’s part of the contract renewal process. Graves said the agency regularly monitors the quality of care that children in state custody receive. He pointed to a state report that showed Amerigroup did well on several metrics, such as use of asthma medication.

But Melissa Haberlen DeWolf, research and policy director for the nonprofit Voices for Georgia’s Children, said the majority of kids cycling through the state’s emergency departments for mental illness are in foster care.

“The caregivers we speak to are desperate for behavioral health care coordination help — finding providers and getting appointments, understanding how to manage behaviors and medication, and prevent crises, and sharing health information between providers,” she said.

To fix these problems, Zetley, the pediatrician, recommends creating a larger benefit package for foster kids, coordinating care better, and raising Medicaid reimbursement rates to attract more providers to these managed-care networks.

Contracts with managed-care companies also should be performance-based, with financial penalties if needed, said Kim Lewis, managing attorney of the National Health Law Program’s Los Angeles offices.

“Managed care is only as good as the state’s ability to manage the contract and to make sure that what they’re getting is what they are paying for,” she said. “It doesn’t work by just, you know, hoping for the best and ‘Here’s the check.'”

But in Georgia, the state has never financially penalized Amerigroup for failing to meet contractually mandated quality standards, Department of Community Health spokesperson Graves confirmed. He said the agency and Amerigroup work to resolve any issues brought to their attention.

Georgia has set up an oversight committee, with public meetings, to monitor the quality of Amerigroup’s performance. But the committee hasn’t met since August 2020, the state said last month. After KHN queries, Graves said the panel would start meeting again this year.




Kaiser Health NewsThis article was reprinted from khn.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.



Original Source Link

Previous Post

18 Top Indoor Play Spaces in New York City | MommyPoppins

Next Post

You Can Get A 2-Pack of Cartoon Remote Control Cars That’ll Have Your Kids Racing Around For Hours

Related Posts

HEALTH CARE

An evaluation of pediatric Mpox specimens

January 25, 2023
HEALTH CARE

Proximity to residential green space linked with higher birth weight

January 25, 2023
HEALTH CARE

Fathers with poor coparenting relationships more likely to feel depressed

January 24, 2023
HEALTH CARE

Smoking during pregnancy reduces childhood brain growth in very preterm babies

January 24, 2023
HEALTH CARE

Study finds high prevalence of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

January 24, 2023
HEALTH CARE

Outdoor play reduces some of the negative effects of screen time for young children

January 24, 2023
Next Post

You Can Get A 2-Pack of Cartoon Remote Control Cars That'll Have Your Kids Racing Around For Hours

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Does COVID-19 cause adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes?

6 days ago

No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

12 hours ago

Study finds high prevalence of depression and anxiety in children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic

1 day ago

Doctor Pretend Play Kids Printables

2 days ago

10 Best Winter Hikes In Chicago To Do With Kids | MommyPoppins

5 days ago

Camp Fire Food: Fruit & Smore Cones

3 days ago

Study finds fewer cases of MIS-C during omicron wave of the pandemic than delta

6 days ago

Categories

  • ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS (1,055)
  • BABY CARE (335)
  • HEALTH CARE (760)
  • PARENTING TIPS (806)
  • PREGNANCY (430)
  • TEENS (622)
  • TODDLERS (58)

Popular Posts

Here’s what’s in the first-ever adult Happy Meal at McDonald’s

4 months ago

Cross cultural study shows how maternal behaviors differentially shape infant early life experience

1 month ago

4th of July Weekend in Connecticut: Fireworks, Parades, and More Things to Do with Kids | MommyPoppins

7 months ago

Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O’-Lantern Displays in New England in 2022 | MommyPoppins

4 months ago

The Best Way to Motivate Your Kid Without Being Annoying

2 months ago

The BEST Inspirational TED Talks for Teens

2 weeks ago

Best Lullaby Songs and Their Origins

10 months ago

Archives

  • January 2023 (308)
  • December 2022 (401)
  • November 2022 (426)
  • October 2022 (451)
  • September 2022 (474)
  • August 2022 (456)
  • July 2022 (488)
  • June 2022 (478)
  • May 2022 (415)
  • April 2022 (53)
  • March 2022 (92)
  • February 2022 (24)

Reader's Choices

Letter O Coloring Page: Free Alphabet Coloring Page

by admin
January 15, 2023

...

I Want My Kids to Live Close, I Have to Let Them Live Their Lives

by admin
January 7, 2023

...

Are crib bumpers safe? – Our Baby Friendly

by admin
December 28, 2022

...

What To Expect: Your Baby at 8 Months Old

by admin
January 7, 2023

...

Editor's Picks

An evaluation of pediatric Mpox specimens

by admin
January 25, 2023

...

No One Likes Me, How Do I Fit In?

by admin
January 25, 2023

...

Proximity to residential green space linked with higher birth weight

by admin
January 25, 2023

...

Living with PCOS taught me how to love and accept my body

by admin
January 19, 2023

...

Popular Posts

34 Great Gift Ideas for Nurses and Nursing Students

by admin
January 18, 2023

...

Free Things To Do in Boston on Cold and Rainy Days: Indoor Places To Play | MommyPoppins

by admin
January 9, 2023

...

Letting Our College Freshman Work at Summer Camp Was the Best Decision We Made as Parents

by admin
January 24, 2023

...

New findings and recommendations to combat the EVALI epidemic

by admin
January 5, 2023

...

Copyright © 2022 - ParentingHere - All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Baby Bouncers
    • Baby Car Seats
    • Baby Clothes
    • Baby Jumpers
    • Baby Toys
    • Baby Walkers
    • Boys Clothing
    • Child Booster Car Seats
    • Child Carriers
    • Childrens Toys
    • Craft Supplies
    • Cribs
    • Funny Parenting T Shirts
    • Girls Clothing
    • Parenting Books
    • Strollers
  • PARENTING TIPS
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY CARE
  • TODDLERS
  • TEENS
  • HEALTH CARE
  • ACTIVITIES & CRAFTS
  • Contact
  • About

Copyright © 2022 - ParentingHere - All rights reserved.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT