VIDEO: Finding the Care You Need With Just One Phone Call

PONTOTOC, Miss. (WCBI) – When it comes to finding the proper long-term care services for yourself or a loved one, you want to make sure you find one that fits specific needs.

Thanks to a partnership with Medicaid and the Department of Human Services, it will only take one call to find the perfect service.

The program, Mississippi Access to Care (MAC), has only been around for the last three years.

In that short time people have been able to find exactly what they need for care and support.

“It’s a great concept. It’s been welcomed and annointed by the governor’s office and the state offices. The future is almost unlimited with what this one phone call can bring,” said Director of Three Rivers Planning, Randy Kelley.

One phone call with MAC holds a broad range of options when it comes to finding the right forms of care services, and it doesn’t cost a thing.

“It is a free service. There is no cost; it’s not based on income. It’s just based on the need that they have, and we try to resource it out,” said MAC specialist, Amanda Sheffield.

The MAC Center in Pontotoc is one of six in the state, covering 27 counties.

That saves a lot of people a lot of time.

“We kind of like to call ourselves the one-stop shop,” said Sheffield.

“Prior to MAC, a family or a caregiver could end up spending days on the telephone, trying to find out what services were available? Who do I contact?” said Kelley.

While there isn’t a cost, there also isn’t an age requirement.

“We serve all Mississippians, so we start with young children who are needing services all the way up to elderly service. It’s geared to all Mississippians,” said Sheffield.

With MAC, Mississippians can have peace of mind knowing they will have the right option selected.

It’s all part of MAC’s slogan.

“…No Wrong Door, where the citizens of Mississippi called one number and get access to what’s available in healthcare, for all people, whether it’s a long term healthcare, in-home healthcare, whatever programs are available,” said Kelley.

The phone isn’t the only way you can reach MAC specialists.

If you’d like to contact them online or receive anymore information, you can visit their website at www.mississippiaccesstocare.org.