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June 24, 2024
On Monday, June 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, Disability Advocates Advancing our Healthcare Rights (DAAHR), a coalition organized by BCIL and the Disability Policy Consortium, will hold a virtual forum on MassHealth's plan to set up an IAE for long-term services and supports for people with disabilities, including many elders.
What is an IAE?
IAE stands for Independent Assessment Entity. Right now consumer evaluations for many services are done by disability provider organizations, including PCA services, adult foster care, group adult foster care, and day habilitation services. Approximately 250,000 people receive these services in the state.
Evaluations were placed in disability organizations decades ago because it was believed providers best understand disability and independent living—they are culturally competent! The state wants to centralize services in one large entity covering the state. Advocates are concerned one entity would be overly bureaucratic, faceless, and serve to reduce services for consumers. The state believes the current system needs improvement and its plan would actually increase access to services.
Learn more about this issue at Dignity Alliance MA.
Attend the forum
Learn about the IAE and offer comments. Mike Levine, Director of MassHealth, will attend.
For more information contact Bill Henning at bhenning@bostoncil.org.
ADA reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request, contact Susan Smith at ssmith@bostoncil.org or (617) 338-6665. As part of your request, please include a description of the accommodation you will need and include as much detail as you can. Please provide your contact information in case we need more information. When possible, please allow at least seven days advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but may be difficult to fill.
