SANTA FE – New Mexicans will again have a direct hotline to report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The New Mexico Health Care Authority announced that, beginning July 1, reports may be made directly to intake specialists by calling 800-445-6242.
The restored toll-free hotline connects callers directly with intake specialists in the Health Care Authority’s Division of Health Improvement Incident Management Bureau. State officials said the change is intended to remove extra steps and help reports reach the intake team more quickly.
Beginning July 1, online reports submitted through the Health Care Authority’s reporting webpage will also be routed directly to the same team.
Health Care Authority Secretary Kari Armijo said every minute and every handoff matters when someone is reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation. She said restoring the direct line will help families, caregivers and providers reach the incident management team faster and more reliably.
The hotline may be used to report concerns involving people enrolled in New Mexico’s Home and Community Based Services Medicaid waiver or state-funded programs. Those include the Developmental Disabilities Waiver, Mi Via Waiver, Medically Fragile Waiver, and State General Fund developmental disability programs.
The Incident Management Bureau investigates reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation involving people receiving those services. The bureau also works with partner agencies and providers to ensure immediate safety measures, corrective action and referrals to law enforcement when appropriate.
The Health Care Authority is asking providers, advocacy organizations and partner agencies to update internal reporting policies, replace any old hotline numbers with 800-445-6242, and share the updated contact information with staff, individuals receiving services, and their families or guardians.
More information about reporting abuse, neglect or exploitation is available through the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – john@bravomic.com
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