April 15, 2004
YKHC Public Relations Dept.
Services provided by Bethel Community Services, Inc. (BCS), a private health care provider in Bethel, have integrated with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), as of April 1, 2004.
The Developmental Disabilities Program, Family Infant Toddler Program, and FASD Program will continue to be operated by former BCS employees now working for YKHC. "We are very happy that these employees who have dedicated years of service to clients at BCS have chosen to continue providing services through YKHC." said Gene Peltola, YKHC's President/CEO.
This transition enables more clients in the YK Delta to receive care, and could save the State up to $1 million in Medicaid costs. Peltola said the transition of services consolidates care and funding under one provider, aremoving overlapping health services that have been offered by multiple agencies.
Historically, when a Medicaid-eligible Alaska Native/American Indian received services from BCS, the federal government paid for about 58 percent of the bill, while the State picked up the remaining 48 percent. However, since YKHC is a federally recognized tribal health organization, the federal government will reimburse the State for 100 percent of the cost of providing that care.
The savings to the State will be used to provide more services to clients currently on the Developmental Disabilities wait list. As a part of the transition, over 70 people from the YKHC Region on the wait list will now be able to receive services sooner. Medicaid waivers are designed to offer government assistance to people who qualify for institutional living but could instead receive local services allowing them to stay with their families in their villages.