Project Description:
Children and adults with I/DD receive health, habilitative and long term services through a fragmented system of care. Compared to general population, individuals with I/DD are more likely to experience complex health conditions and chronic disease, co-occurring mental illness, higher rates of antipsychotic medications, higher medical costs, poor rates of preventative screenings, and limited access to quality care. Individuals with I/DD and their families want to receive healthcare from competent, caring, accessible providers.
Primary health care practices see varying numbers of individuals with I/DD in their community practices. Primary care providers want to be able to access professionals with /IDD expertise so they can care for children and adults with I/DD in their practice. Barriers to care exist for both patients with I/DD and providers. Presently there is no systematic approach to accessing I/DD consultation expertise. A statewide I/DD consultation network, staffed by physicians and support staff knowledgeable about I/DD, would build community capacity, improve outcomes and patient satisfaction, and help ensure that individuals with I/DD are receiving the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This aligns with Session Law 2015-245 and the focus on integrated care, person-centered health systems, improved quality and consistency of care, and Medicaid Transformation.
This project is intended to:
advance innovative solutions that foster improved health and well-being for North Carolinians with I/DD and their families,
enhance ability of primary care practices and providers to care for patients with I/DD in their practices so individuals with I/DD can access quality care in their community,
inform Medicaid redesign and strategic planning
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
