Will TennCare change force disabled Knoxville man into nursing home?

Will TennCare change force disabled Knoxville man into nursing home?

By DON DARE
6 On Your Side Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- For a year now, budget cuts at TennCare have had a major impact on people with severe disabilities who are least able to take care of themselves.

Eleven months ago, the state's health care system started reducing services for those who had round the clock home nursing care.

Now, a disabled Knoxville man with muscular dystrophy is in danger of losing his care.

Glenn Grimes once assisted the UT football coaching staff as their computer guru, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of Tennessee's opponents.

Glenn began at UT in 1992. He was awarded two SEC rings and a national championship ring.

However, Glenn grew weaker as the years passed. His progressive muscular dystrophy, which he's had since birth, nearly took his life in 2002.

That's when he was put on a ventilator and his mother, Kathy Allen, has been at his side ever since.

She's overcome by anxiety, fearful that her son will lose his round the clock nursing care. TennCare has provided it for seven years.

"I love this boy so much, only God knows. I'm so upset. I just love him so much," Kathy said.

"And you can't see him going to a nursing home," 6 On Your Side asked. "No, no, no way," Kathy said.

Glenn can't live without his ventilator and he has to be suctioned three to five times a day. Plus, he has breathing treatments twice a day and nearly a dozen pills to take throughout the day and night.

TennCare tells 6 On Your Side Glenn's at risk of losing his eligibility if the cost of his 24/7 at home nursing care isn't reduced.

Right now, his home-based medical services cost $332,232 a year, but the state tells him the services have to be cut to $50,100 a year or he'll be moved to a nursing home.

"So basically, that takes me from having nurses 24 hours a day to three hours a day. I don't see how I could go with that," Glenn said, adding that he doesn't have the support system at home to fill in the other 21 hours.

Then there's the experience Glenn once had of being sent to a nursing home for rehabilitation.

"They let him get bed sores. The doctors here had to operate on them. I healed them up and it took me 14 months," Kathy said.

In March 2008 in Sneedville, 6 On Your Side reported how Tammie Stapleton's childhood friend, Donald Collins, cared for her on the weekends after she lost her round the clock nursing services because it cost TennCare too much.

Tammie was fed special food out of bag. Unable to walk, her health was deteriorating.

TennCare couldn't find a nursing home that could meet her special needs. Besides, she didn't want to be moved.

Tammie died two months ago at a hospital in Morristown following complications of her fragile health.

Glenn fears the worst once his hours are cut or he's moved to a nursing home. "It just destroys me. I haven't been able to sleep or eat. All I want to hear is, your nurses are back."

Glenn has been receiving care under what's called home and community based waiver services. Created in the 1980's, it was designed as a cost effective alternative to nursing homes, but costs have soared since then.

Glenn will continue with his full time nursing services until August 16, according to a memo sent to him.

After that, he's not sure what's going to happen.

If Glenn's service is reduced, he'll be able to appeal and his primary care physician can also have an influence on the decision making process.