FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Why do we call it Partnership?
2. Who is eligible to enroll in Partnership?
3. How do I enroll in Partnership?
4. Who pays for Partnership Services?
5. What is an Interdisciplinary Team?
6. What is the role of a Nurse Practitioner?
7. What is the role of a Registered Nurse?
8. What is the role of a Social Services Coordinator?
9. What is the role of a Team Assistant?
10. May members keep their own doctors?
11. What types of services can Partnership provide?

1. Why do we call it Partnership?

Our Interdisciplinary Team partners with enrolled members, local doctors, family, and various community resources and services to create a service plan that delivers a full range of health care and support services. There is great emphasis on consumer choice, the member’s personal wishes, and his or her choice of lifestyle. Enrollment is voluntary, and members can disenroll if they wish. Typically, though, the Partnership program serves members for the remaining years of their lives and supports them throughout changes in their health and living situations.

2. Who is eligible to enroll in our Partnership Program?

To enroll in our Partnership Program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 65 years old or be at least 18 years old and have a developmental and/or physical disability; and,
• Have long-term care needs; and,
• Meet functional and financial requirements (Medicaid eligible); and,
• Reside in one of the following Wisconsin counties: Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, or St. Croix.

3. How do I enroll in the Partnership Program?

Your county’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) will assist you in reviewing your options and will enroll you in the Partnership Program, if that is your choice. Membership is voluntary, and you can enroll or disenroll at any time.

4. Who pays for Partnership Services?

We receive funds to pay for Medicare services through a contract with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). A contract with the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services pays for Medicaid services as well as home and community-based waiver services.

5. What is an Interdisciplinary Team?

An Interdisciplinary Team consists of a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, social services coordinator, and a team assistant. Members in the Partnership program are assigned their own Interdisciplinary Team. The team partners with the primary care physician, participant, and the family in order to develop a customized plan of care. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain independence and the health status of the member.

6. What is the role of a Nurse Practitioner?

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with a Master of Science degree who have been certified by a national certifying body to practice as an advanced clinical nurse. NPs work collaboratively with the primary care and specialty physicians in our network and communicate frequently about the member’s health status. Our NPs focus on the following:

• Prescribing & managing medications and therapies
• Obtaining health histories
• Performing physical assessments & examinations
• Ordering & interpreting diagnostic/laboratory studies
• Diagnosing, treating, and managing common illnesses, minor injuries and chronic diseases
• Providing continued follow-up and coordination of care
• Providing ongoing education regarding medications, health maintenance and chronic disease management

The Nurse Practitioner often attends the member’s doctor appointments to update the primary physician on medication needs, health changes, health maintenance needs and adjustments to the care plan.

7. What is the role of the Registered Nurse?

Registered Nurses are specially-trained professionals who provide nursing case management to the members. They visit members in their homes and oversee our direct care staff, including Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and Personal Care Workers (PCWs). Other responsibilities include:

• Health care education
• Medication management
• Wound care
• Collaborative care management with team Social Services Coordinators and Nurse Practitioners
• Health maintenance and preventive health measures

8. What is the role of the social services coordinator?

The Social Services Coordinators associated with our Partnership Program are trained professionals knowledgeable about the social, emotional, and mental health needs of older and physically disabled adults. They keep up-to-date about the various community resources available to meet those needs. They also provide supportive counseling to the members, support the family members and other caregivers, and generally coordinate use of community services.

9. What is the role of the team assistant?

The Team Assistant serves as the direct link to the Partnership Program and supports the member and family by scheduling medical/health appointments, arranging transportation, and generally coordinating the member’s services received through our Partnership Program.

10. May members keep their own doctors?

Yes, when possible. It's natural for individuals to want to keep long-standing relationships with their own doctors who know them best. That’s why we work with over 170 primary care physicians as well as physicians in all medical specialties throughout Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Pierce, and St. Croix counties. We have carefully selected a panel of physicians who have agreed to collaborate with our team Nurse Practitioner and work within the Partnership model. From time to time, we add physicians to our network who are interested in the Partnership program and have patients who wish to enroll.

11. What types of services can Partnership provide?

Our Partnership Program covers Medicare, Wisconsin Medicaid, and Home & Community-Based Waiver Services. The following is a sample of these services.

In-home services:

• Nursing care
• Social services
• Personal care (assistance with bathing, dressing, etc.)
• Assistance with medications
• Meal preparation
• 24-hour emergency call line

Physician care:

• Over 170 local primary care doctors throughout Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pierce, and St. Croix counties
• All medical specialties

Other services provided by our Partnership Program include, but are not limited to:

• Physician and specialty visits
• Medical, surgical, and intensive care
• Hospitalization
• Nursing home care
• Transportation
• Nutrition counseling
• Therapy and rehabilitation
• Durable medical equipment and supplies
• Vision, hearing, and dental
• Prescription drugs and medicines
• Mental/behavioral health

CHP Provider Directory
View our broad network of qualified doctors, clinics, hospitals, and other providers available to offer health care services to our members.

Summary of Benefits
For a more complete listing of CHP-covered services, please review CHP's Summary of Benefits.

Evidence of Coverage (EOC)
Information on all covered services, our obligations to you, and your rights and responsibilities as a member.