[rehab] Medicaid Payments for O&M Services

[Andrews, David B B (DEED)]

The cause of getting blind persons jobs, and other services we need.

I think that Dr. Bell's message did a good job of describing many of the concerns.  Blindness -- for most of us is not a medical issue.  We have lost our sight, or never had it, and need to move on to getting training, a job etc.  It just adds another layer of bureaucracy to have medical professionals having to prescribe blindness-related services and devices when this is not their area of expertise.

Dave



-----Original Message-----
From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Gabe Vega
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 10:09 AM
To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List
Subject: Re: [rehab] Medicaid Payments for O&M Services

who's cause? and why aren't you conviced. can we get a solid arguement written out. I just keep seeing emails stating that it isn't a good idea but no one is saying why its not a good idea.
Gabe Vega
(Phone voice and SMS: 623) 565-9357
Check out the centralized location for all my Social Networks
http://thebt.net

On Jan 19, 2011, at 9:29 AM, Andrews, David B B (DEED) wrote:

> Over the past 30 years or more -- most, if not all of the major players in the blindness field have been actively trying to discourage the "medical model" of blindness.  While I can understand renewed interest in it -- as funds get tighter, I am not convinced it is something that ultimately furthers our cause.
> 
> Dave
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jan Bailey
> Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 5:30 AM
> To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [rehab] Medicaid Payments for O&M Services
> 
> Well, medical doctors know next to nothing about blind rehab, so how would 
> they properly prescribe  what's needed?
> 
> Jan
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "gabe vega" <theblindtech at gmail.com>
> To: "Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List" <rehab at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2011 5:20 AM
> Subject: Re: [rehab] Medicaid Payments for O&M Services
> 
> 
>> I am a little confused here. We always talk about spreading education  and 
>> awareness to the public, government and other professions about  blindness 
>> and all it brings, and you are telling me this medicade  situation is a bad 
>> thing?
>> 
>> will it not put more of a spotlight on blindness based on the fact  that 
>> more people will have to deal with and provide for people of who  are 
>> blind?
>> 
>> I am not sure if I subscribe to this blind nitch rehab model anyways,  how 
>> has it advanced this so called 70% emplyment rate for the past 20  years 
>> for example?
>> On Jan 19, 2011, at 5:15 AM, Jan Bailey wrote:
>> 
>>> Extra funding would be nice, but I agree with you.
>>> Jan
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marks, Jim" <jimmarks at mt.gov>
>>> To: <rehab at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2011 3:03 PM
>>> Subject: [rehab] Medicaid Payments for O&M Services
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> The Montana Legislature is considering a bill that would require 
>>>> Medicaid to pay for orientation and mobility services for qualified 
>>>> children in K-12 education.  It may overlap to adult services as  well. 
>>>> The primary advocate for the bill is an Orientation and  Mobility 
>>>> Instructor working for her local school district.
>>>> 
>>>> While it's nice to have new funding streams for services, I'm  concerned 
>>>> about the medicalizing of blindness rehabilitation  services.  It would 
>>>> be a shame to involve medical doctors in things  like buying a long 
>>>> white cane when the docs know almost nothing  about blind rehab.
>>>> 
>>>> What have other states done?  Are there issues/pitfalls to consider?
>>>> 
>>>> Thanks in advance for your replies.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> -----
>>>> Jim Marks
>>>> Disability Transitions Programs Director
>>>> Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services
>>>> jimmarks at mt.gov
>>>> http://vocrehab.mt.gov
>>>> (406) 444-2591
>>>> 
>>>> "The legitimate purpose of society and its governments is not to  govern 
>>>> people and to promote the good life for them, but to empower  them to 
>>>> govern themselves and to provide the good life for  themselves and their 
>>>> fellow humans."  Justin Dart