A Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) is a special Medicare Advantage plan that coordinates all covered Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid) managed care benefits in one health plan.
You may be eligible for D-SNP if you:
- Are over 65, or about to turn 65, and your income is at or below the Washington Apple Health income level.
- You are under 65 with certain disabilities and your income is at or below the Washington Apple Health income level.
At CHPW we offer case management to our Dual Complete and Dual Select (HMO D-SNP) plan members. We sat down with Lacey Lindsly, one of our Case Managers, and asked her five questions about her work. Here are her answers.
I have been with CHPW for almost four-and-a-half years, and my job title is Case Manager II on the Dual Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) team where I support members who qualify for both Medicare and Apple Health and are enrolled in a CHPW Medicare Advantage Dual Complete or Dual Select plan.
Part of my job includes connecting with members to help let them know all the ways CHPW can support their health and wellbeing. That can mean care coordination between doctors and specialists, answering benefit questions, connecting them with community support, or helping with housing or other needs. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager, as well as Mental Health Professional, and my job draws upon all of that. The work I get to do and the connections I get to make with members is very rewarding.
How does CHPW offer additional support to Medicare Advantage Dual Plan members?
We bring together an Interdisciplinary Care Team from across different departments to support our members. Together we work to remove barriers our Dual Plan members may be facing that affect their health. Some Dual Plan members are living with complex medical conditions with other challenges. Together we create a Plan of Care for each member to support them in reaching their goals. I work closely with our Interdisciplinary Care Team to ensure our members are getting the best health care possible.
If members have food scarcity concerns, housing issues, transportation barriers, and/or financial struggles, it is more difficult for them to focus on their health. I advocate for my members, coordinate services with community organizations, speak on their behalf when needed, and support members to feel heard in all avenues of their health care. I also provide education to my members regarding disease progression and work closely with them to ensure they reach their best health.
What inspired you to apply for this role with CHPW?
I took a very fascinating one-year-long Interdisciplinary Health Care course in my graduate studies at Eastern Washington University (EWU) and loved it!
The course content and pilot program with a local clinic helped social workers to collaborate with patients and their care team to ensure patients were being seen through a holistic lens that considered multidimensional aspects of wellness.
This approach included recognizing the whole person: physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual — very similar to CHPW’s mission. We worked with medical providers, mental health providers, dieticians, and specialty providers.
I then graduated and went on to work as a Medical Social Worker in a local emergency department. This was a very great learning experience for me. I applied with CHPW in 2019 and am so grateful to have this opportunity to work with our D-SNP members and support them to improve the quality of their lives.
What is something you have recently learned or accomplished that you are proud of?
I have a two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and am a first-time mom. I’m constantly learning from her and, in general, learning how to do this!
I am proud to be her mom and get to grow with her. And, of course, I am constantly learning a plethora of new things through my role as a D-SNP Case Manager!
What is your favorite season in Washington State and why?
I would normally say summer, which has always been my favorite season because I LOVE swimming; however, with the fires this year and in previous years, I am starting to enjoy spring and fall more.
I do love the Christmas holiday, so I’ll take winter too. I love aspects of every season here in the beautiful state of Washington!
Learn more:
- Watch a video that explains the differences between Medicare and Apple Health (Medicaid)
- Browse out Medicare Advantage Dual Select and Dual Complete plans
- Learn more about CHPW Medicare Advantage Health Services
- Job Opportunities at CHPW