He said the combined organization could have a stronger voice in advocating programs for the blind like the Guild's long-term managed-care operation, which is financed with federal Medicaid money that is allocated by the state.
"The idea that people are bicycling home from managed long-term care is a complete misnomer," Mr. Helgerson said.
The New York redesign gives managed-care companies, rather than the government or an independent agency, main responsibility for determining eligibility for managed long-term care.
In April, New York suspended enrollment in the managed long-term care plans run by VNS, including VNS Choice, the largest in the state with more than 20,000 enrollees.
Extended was seeking a coveted role as a managed long-term care plan, and three months ago, the health commissioner awarded that H.M.O.
Advocates have repeatedly argued that the implementation of New York's new Medicaid managed long-term care program is being rushed and have called for a delay.
"Advocates Say Managed-Care Plans Shun the Most Disabled Medicaid Users" (front page, May 1) unfairly suggests that managed long-term care plans are inappropriately denying services.
However, many patients in long-term care may not be managed in line with evidence based guidelines [ 10- 15].
In the long-term, poorly managed blood-glucose levels can lead to serious complications such as blindness, amputations and stroke.
