Non-Medical Case Management Benefits Specialty Services

The vendor required to provide non-medical case management benefits specialty services for include:
- Client intake:
•    The complete intake process, including registration and eligibility, is required for every client throughout benefits specialty services (BSS) delivery.
•    All programs will follow HIPAA rules and regulations for confidentiality. 
•    The following completed forms are required for each client and will be kept on file in the client chart:
o    A voluntarily signed and dated, HIPAA-compliant release of information (ROI) form, when applicable. 
o    Client refusal to authorize the release of information may not be a condition of eligibility for or receipt of services under this contract. 
o    When obtained, the ROI must be maintained in the client chart and renewed at least annually; 
o    Non-medical case management form;
o    Consent to receive services; 
o    Client’s rights and responsibilities; 
o    Client grievance procedures; and 
o    Program disclaimer that BSS do not constitute legal advice or representation and that there is no guarantee of success in obtaining benefits.
- Comprehensive benefits assessment:
•    Benefits assessments are cooperative, interactive, face-to-face interviews that are conducted in order to: determine a client's eligibility for public assistance programs and educate clients regarding eligibility for public assistance programs.
•    Benefits assessments must be completed during the first appointment with the client. 
•    The event that a client, due to physical impairment or illness, is unable to come to an appointment, the benefits specialist may go to the client's residence to complete the assessment and necessary follow-up.
•    Benefits assessments require the following documentation to be kept on file in the client chart:
o    Date of assessment;
o    Signature and title of staff person completing the assessment;
o    Completed assessment and information form.
- Benefits service plan:
•    Include the public assistance programs each client has applied to and track the status of each application as it is completed, updated, changed, or determined to be unattainable. 
•    Ensure that the benefits specialist addresses and documents both existing and newly identified client goals on an ongoing basis. 
•    Document each client interaction, including: the date of the interaction, time spent on benefits-related activities, the outcome of the interaction, and the signatures of the client (when applicable) and the benefits specialist.
- Application assistance:
•    Clients must be given appointments, as needed, to assist in the completion of relevant applications
•    This assistance will be provided in a one-on-one meeting with the same benefits specialist that completed the client's assessment whenever possible. 
•    Contractor will ensure the following:
o    Benefits specialists provide clear instructions about any next steps required to finalize ab application process (e.g., setting appointments at benefits offices, mailing instructions, etc.); 
o    Benefits specialists will follow up within 24 hours if a client has missed a scheduled benefits appointment; 
o    Documentation for application assistance services will be kept in the form of progress notes and will include, but not be limited to, the following required information: date; description of applications completed; time spent with, or on behalf of, the client; and specialist's name, signature, and title.