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                  CHOOSING A CARE CONSULTANT

    

 

There are a number of very important questions you should ask when choosing someone to advocate for you or your family members care needs, as you must trust this person who often becomes like a surrogate family member to you and your loved one.  This chart lists the questions you might ask any care management company before choosing a health advocate.  Matrixs answers to the questions are listed, and we will be happy to elaborate on any answer or answer any additional questions you might have.
   

CRITERIA   MATRIX ADVOCARE NETWORK
 OTHER PROVIDER  
How long has the company been in business?   Matrix has been providing care consulting and advocacy services since 1987.    
How is the business organized?   Matrix is a Minnesota corporation in good standing and was incorporated in 1988.    
Is the business affiliated with any other organization?   No, Matrix is a privately-owned business unaffiliated with other companies or providers, which allows it to make recommendations strictly in the best interest of each client.    
How many care consultants does the business have?   Matrix employs 15+ Care Consultants in Minnesota.    
What are the qualifications of the care consultants?   All are registered nurses, 75% have a Masters Degree in nursing and/or related fields.  75% are certified in gerontology and/or related fields.  All have at least 10 years of nursing experience, with an average of over 22 years.     
Do the care consultants have any ongoing training?   Yes, Matrix provides a minimum of 16 hours of continuing education per year on pertinent topics.  Each Care Consultant attends at least one full day continuing education seminar per year and receives an annual subscription to the Journal of Gerontological Nursing.    
How many clients does each care consultant work with?   Full time Matrix Care Consultants work with up to 20 clients, while part timers work with fewer clients.    
What hours are the care consultants available?   Matrix Care Consultants work from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and an on-call Care Consultant handles emergencies evenings, weekends and holidays.    
What happens when a care consultant is ill or on vacation?   Each Care Consultant has an assigned partner who covers for vacation and sick time.  There is no charge for transition time between Care Consultants.    
Who answers the phone at the business?   Matrix phones are always answered by a live person.  After hours, a live person answers and pages the on-call Care Consultant with messages.    
Are the care consultants employees or independent contractors?   All Matrix Care Consultants are employees, accountable to the company for the quality of their work.  All required payroll taxes are paid as well as salaries and benefits.   
Does the company have liability insurance?   Yes, Matrix carries both general and case manager-specific liability insurance for its employees.    
Does the company have workers compensation insurance?   Yes, Matrix carries workers compensation insurance for its employees.  
Does the company have a code of ethics and standards of practice? Yes, Matrix adheres to the Pledge of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.    
Does the company have a quality assurance program?   Yes, Matrix has a quality assurance program that includes internal supervision of all casework and also solicits evaluation from customers following the initial assessment and at regular intervals thereafter.    
Does the company have contracts with specific providers?   No, Matrix care consultants are free to refer clients to the most appropriate, high quality services available.    
Does the company accept fees from facilities for placing clients in facilities?   No, Matrix never accepts fees for its referrals, and always makes referrals strictly on the needs and best interest of each client.    
Does the company or its employees act as guardians or conservators?   No, Matrix believes that to act as guardians or conservators would be a conflict of interest.  Matrix refers clients to qualified professional guardians and conservators when needed.    
How are doctors involved? Matrix Care Consultants work with each clients private physicians to establish and maintain plans of care.  When needed, Care Consultants refer patients to medical specialists or help them obtain expert medical opinions.    
Does the company provide written documentation of services?   Yes, Matrix provides a detailed written report following the Comprehensive Assessment, and follow-up written reports at least every three months.    
How does the company bill for its services?   There is a set fee for the Comprehensive Assessment.  For additional services, there are rates for professional time and travel time.  Both are billed in 6 minute (tenths of an hour) increments, except for voice mail messages and retrieval which are billed in 3 minute (twentieth of an hour) increments.    
Does the company require me to sign a contract?   Yes, Matrix has a Service Agreement that defines its services to be performed and rates for the services.    
Once I sign the contract, am I obligated to use Matrix's services? No, after the Comprehensive Assessment, you may elect to continue or to discontinue using Matrixs services.    

 

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