Intensive Support Coordination/Support Coordination
Created in 2016, the Intensive Support Coordination (ISC) and Support Coordination (SC) Programs partner with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) to provide additional support for Comprehensive (COMP) Supports Waiver and the New Options Waiver 
(NOW) participants.
As a provider, CareStar serves two (2) categories of individuals including the traditional Support Coordination (SC) group and the higher acuity, Intensive Support Coordination (ISC) group. CareStar’s role is to provide oversight for participants who are enrolled in the Programs. CareStar’s expert professionals assist waiver participants by identifying and addressing barriers and accessing needed resources and services offered through the waiver, as well as other community options, while maintaining family and other relationships and support. After Program enrollment, the Intensive Support Coordinator, serving as a Case Manager, works with the individual and other team members, to develop a Service Plan that will facilitate maintaining health and safety in the community.
Populations Served: The population served includes adults with developmental disabilities and complex medical or behavioral health needs.
Location: CareStar is a Statewide provider in this Program.
Application Process: To inquire about services or begin the enrollment process, contact one (1) of the six (6) DBHDD Regional Offices. For immediate assistance in managing a crisis, contact the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL).
Population Health – Health Risk Assessments (HRA)
CareStar has partnered with Managed Care Plans to complete telephonic and in-person Health Risk Assessments, Health Needs Assessments and care planning for eligible members. CareStar completes the assessments to gather updated health history and to determine if there are any identified health or social service needs. Risks identified for the individual during the assessment are reported for additional care management follow-up. CareStar is committed to helping identify an individual’s needs and providing resources when necessary.
Population Served: Members of a managed care plan or other medical insurance provider.
Location: CareStar can perform these services where members reside or telephonically.
Quality and Utilization Review
CareStar is proud to be Quality Improvement Organization-like (QIO-like) certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As a leader in Case Management, Assessment, Technology and Software Development, CareStar uses this Certification to assist our customers with quality assurance, improved healthcare outcomes and reduced costs. Additionally, CareStar engages physicians in specialty areas including, but not limited to, Family Medicine, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Gastroenterology, Neurology, Vascular Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, to expand our expertise and capabilities and ensure efficiency and accuracy of our QIO-like activities.
Administered by CMS, a QIO-like Organization is made up of a group of expert healthcare clinicians and professionals contracted to complete utilization reviews and analyze patterns of care related to medical necessity and quality review. State Medicaid Agencies and organizations contracting with CareStar for QIO-like services are eligible for an enhanced Federal match of funds up to 75 percent. The QIO-like Certification is one of CMS’s most significant programs to improve quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. As of March 2020, CareStar is one of 76 organizations to hold this certification nationally.
The Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP)
CareStar is proud to offer the Elderly and Disabled Waiver Program (EDWP) providing services to help elderly and/or functionally impaired individuals stay in their homes and communities. It includes programs, such as SOURCE and CCSP (Traditional/Enhanced) and offers an alternative to nursing facility placement. This program aligns with our mission of helping individuals lively safely and confidently in their homes and communities.
EDWP offers a wide variety of services, ensuring all Individuals can receive the care they deserve. Some of these services include Adult Day Health, Alternative Living Services, Emergency Response Services, Home-Delivered Services, Personal Support Services, Structured Family Caregiving, and Out-of-Home Respite Care.
One can obtain EDWP Services by following the below steps:
- The Individual contacts the Area Agency on Aging for an EDWP Assessment for Traditional/Enhanced care. Any individuals with full, active Medicaid can contact the AAA or a SOURCE Site for Assessements.
- If the individual is eligible for EDWP, the care coordinator and the representative will collaborate to determine which services best apply to the applicant’s needs.
If you or someone you know could benefit from EDWP Services, please fill out the form here.