Happy New Year from CareStar

By Thomas Gruber, President

As 2011 fades into our memories and 2012 takes root I wish to share my thoughts and extend my gratitude to all of the members of our CareStar family.

Last year was another noteworthy year for CareStar. We have successfuly managed the Ohio Home Care Waiver and our other programs while developing new opportunities and expanding relationships with our providers, consumers, case managers and those who support our company. Let me share a few highlights...

The goal of the Ohio Home Care Program is to enable persons with disabilities to remain in the community rather than a nursing facility in a manner that is satisfactory to them and saves money for the taxpayers. During the 2011 fiscal year CareStar achieved these goals with flying colors.

 For the second consecutive year average monthly service costs declined for Ohio Home Care consumers. The average cost per month for consumer services in the program was $3,198 in 2011. This represents a 1.9% decline from FY 2010 and a cumulative decline of 4.0% since FY 2009 when the average monthly cost for service was $3,329.

90% of Ohio Home Care Program consumers surveyed are either extremely satisfied or very satisfied with the care provided to them by CareStar. Furthermore, 94% of these consumers reported they would recommend CareStar to a friend in need of case management services. 

The ultimate goal of the Ohio Home Care Program is to maintain consumers in the community rather than in skilled nursing facilities.  98% of all consumers enrolled in the program in 2011 met this goal extending the string to six consecutive years where that 98% target was met.

2011 also saw continued growth in our Indiana and CareStar Learning operations as well as the establishment of our Community Living program that has been combined with the Home Choice program under the banner of Transitional Services. Each of our business divisions operated profitably and in excess of targets through the November 30, 2011 financial report and I expect that to remain the case when the final numbers are compiled for December.

In December, CareStar entered into an agreement to provide consulting services to a nationally recognized managed care organization, Amerigroup. We are excited about this opportunity to partner with this highly regarded Fortune 400 company. This relationship provides a new revenue stream for CareStar and a great opportunity to extend our business beyond its current Ohio-Indiana footprint.

Finally, CareStar was recognized by the Cincinnati chapter of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as a 2011 "Honoree" in the Torch Award Program. This award honors companies who exhibit excellence in marketplace ethics. CareStar was one of only six companies to receive this honor. I am very grateful and proud of all of you who made this award possible.

Based on these accomplishments I am confident you will understand why I look to 2012 with continued hope and enthusiasm for CareStar. It may be a new year, but our mission and values remain constant. The landscape for services for the disabled and elderly continues to focus more squarely on the home and community-based environment, and care management is at the heart of all of these new programs creating many new opportunities for CareStar in Ohio and beyond in 2012 and future years.

I look forward to working with each of you and continuing to serve those in our communities who need our assistance in 2012. Together we will continue to improve communities by improving lives.

Happy New Year,

Tom Gruber