Consumer Evaluation of a Disability Care Coordination Organization

Disability care coordination organizations (DCCOs) arrange comprehensive, disability-competent social and medical services for people with disabilities. This study used consumer ratings of access and quality to measure outcomes in one of the first operational DCCOs over a three-year period. Working-age Medicaid adults with physical disabilities reported statistically significant improvements in service coordination, patient education, system-wide disability competency, comprehensive assessment, health visit support, and self-direction of care. Global quality ratings showed statistically significant and sustained improvement over two years, with the percentage of people rating the health system as excellent rising from 7% before enrollment to 44% in the DCCO. The percentage of people rating primary care physicians as excellent rose from 18% before enrollment to 38% in the DCCO. Over time, enrollees became more knowledgeable about the need for preventive health care services, were more likely to receive needed care and medical equipment, and reduced their need for rehabilitation therapies. Disability care coordination organizations can reduce disparities and improve access to care for this vulnerable population.