CASA - Community Alternative Systems Agency

A person must meet certain program eligibility requirements to become a part of the CASA system:

• Must be a resident of Erie County.
• Must be financially eligible for New York State Medicaid.
• Must obtain a physician's medical order indicating a need for home care services.
• If eligible for and/or enrolled in Managed Care or a Managed Long Term Care plan, they must receive services from the Managed Care plan.

A team of Medicaid eligibility workers located within the CASA services division interview new applicants for Medicaid who are looking specifically for Home Health Care Services. They also do the annual financial eligibility reviews for each Medicaid home care recipient.

The Access and Coordination Team [ACT] is a multi-dimensional unit designed to help consumers access appropriate community services within the Long-term Care System. 

ACT is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and processing all new referrals for home care services.

A referral for CASA services can be made by calling 858-2323. The best time to call is between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

• The referral source will speak with the Intake Social Services Team Worker [SSTW]. The SSTW checks the New York State system for Medicaid eligibility and for Managed Care enrollment.
• If the potential client is not currently Medicaid active, the caller will be directed to the CASA Medicaid Unit or another appropriate agency for assistance.
• The caller will be transferred to an ACT nurse or caseworker who will ask case-specific questions to identify needs and determine if CASA is the most appropriate program. If CASA is not the most appropriate program, the individual will be referred to the proper agency or agencies within the Long Term Care System - including Managed Long Term Care (MLTC).
• For referrals that are accepted, ACT will follow-up with additional telephone calls and request medical orders. The ACT nurse will also send reminder letters to the physicians to expedite the process. Once medical orders are received, the referral is sent to one of the CASA assessment teams to complete a community evaluation by making a home visit.

After assessing the client's needs CASA arranges for home care services for its clients. CASA clients may receive:

• Personal care aide services, which provide assistance with personal hygiene, including bathing and dressing, assistance with ambulation, etc.
• Environmental aide services, which cover assistance with household chores, meal preparation, shopping, laundry, and similar activities.
• Private duty nursing services, if continuous skilled nursing assistance is warranted.

If a client qualifies for CASA services, they may also be eligible for assistance through the Consumer Directed Personal Attendant Program, a unique program which allows clients to recruit, hire and supervise their own aides. Consumer directed attendants may also perform skilled nursing tasks under the consumer's direction.

For more information about CASA services, please call:

Access and Coordination Team [ACT]
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
[716] 858-2323

As of March 1, 2024 the NYS Department of Health will be processing all new requests for Environmental Modifications, Vehicle Modifications and Adaptive or Assistive Technology. Requests for these services should be sent to www.childrenshealthhome.com. 

Vendors seeking to contract with NYS for these services should contact FMS@childrenshealthhome.org or call 855-209-1142. Projects that are currently in process with the Local District will be completed under the old process. 

Approved AT, E-Mod, and V-Mod Vendors