Little Rock, AR, August 27, 2024 – Easterseals Arkansas, a leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals with disabilities, has formally announced the termination of its PASSE contracts to provide CES Waiver Services with Empower Healthcare Solutions and Summit Community Care, effective January 1, 2025. This decision was the result of lengthy negotiations, which concluded without an agreement on reimbursement rates that adequately covered Easterseals’ projected costs of delivering quality waiver services.
In July, Easterseals Arkansas had announced that it was terminating its contract with Arkansas Total Care. Easterseals will still be contracted with CareSource, a PASSE backed by a non-profit managed care organization, whose rates do cover its costs, including competitive pay and benefits for its direct care staff.
Ron Ekstrand, CEO of Easterseals Arkansas, emphasized the importance of this decision: “Our commitment to our members and their families is paramount. We must ensure that our staff are compensated competitively to maintain the high level of care and support that Easterseals Arkansas provides its members and families. Unfortunately, the rates offered by Empower and Summit fall short of what is necessary to do this. However, CareSource has rates that will enable us to be more competitive with the wages and benefits that we offer our caregivers which will help us with recruiting and retaining the talent we need to serve our members.”
Transition Details for Members
Easterseals Arkansas is committed to ensuring the continuity of care for all members currently with the Empower, Summit, and Arkansas Total Care PASSEs. To continue receiving CES Waiver Services from Easterseals Arkansas after January 1, 2025, these PASSE members will need to select CareSource as their PASSE during the Open Enrollment period which runs from October 1-31, 2024. If they want to remain with their current PASSE, members will need to pick a new provider for waiver services.
Support and Resources for Members and Families
Easterseals Arkansas will support its members through this transition by holding information sessions in September to answer questions and share the steps they will need to take during Open Enrollment. Registration details will be available on the organization’s website: eastersealsar.com after August 31.
About Easterseals Arkansas
Easterseals Arkansas has been a leader in disability advocacy and services for 80 years. Our mission is to empower all individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.
Contact Information for Media Inquiries:
Easterseals Arkansas
3920 Woodland Heights Rd.
Little Rock, AR 72212
Phone: (501) 227-3650
Email: rekstrand@eastersealsar.com
About Easterseals Arkansas
Easterseals Arkansas has been a leader in disability advocacy and services for 80 years. Our mission is to empower all individuals with disabilities to live, learn, work, and play in their communities.
