I read your article titled "Payne for the chronically ill" in the July 24 issue. The service that Sandy Payne provides is certainly much needed and quite valuable. Unfortunately, I think that the article is somewhat misleading. You state that her service is offered through "a new service in the Midlands called Care Improvement Plus… set up a year ago."

Care Improvement Plus is a Medicare Advantage Plan that Medicare recipients can choose over regular Medicare. Medicare Part C plans can best be described as PPO or HMO plans. Care Improvement Plus is designed to cover seniors with diabetes, heart failure, COPD or end stage renal disease. It has been in this area for more than a year and you can not use Sandy's services unless you are in the Care Improvement Plus system.

Your article leaves the impression that you can access these services by calling 866-766-8698. When I called to get more information about this, the lady who answered did not know who Sandy Payne was and that in order to "have a nurse come see you, you had to subscribe to Care Improvement Plus."

As a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, I know how difficult it is for many seniors, especially those with health problems to get the services that they need. Your article, I think, will lead them to believe all they have to do is call that number and a nurse will help them. This is very unfortunate and will confuse and disappoint those seniors!

It is however a great ad for Care Improvement Plus!

Through Life Span Consulting, elderly patients and their families are helped in many of the same ways. We assess the senior's environment, what their medical, psychosocial issues, legal, financial issues and what their desires are. In addition to that, we help these individuals and their families come to terms and hopefully agreement with a plan that provides a safe, yet as independent as possible, living arrangement for the senior. We provide these same services to those with chronic illness, though most of our clients are from within the senior and babyboomer population.

Perhaps you would like more information about this and would like to do an article about us too! If so, please give me a call. I would love to talk to you!

Kate Vos, LISW-C/P;C-ASWCP