"I feel like now I can get my lab work done and I don't have to wait..."

"The bills come in and I freak out because I've been too sick to work."

Case Management
The objective of HIV Care Services is to ensure access to HIV care and improve the quality of life for people infected or affected by HIV. BCAP provides medical case management, emotional support, practical help, and limited financial assistance to its HIV+ clients. With your approval, your friends and family members can also receive information and emotional support.

Case managers help identify and prioritize your current needs. We are able to give you information about local healthcare providers (HIV specialty and primary care), access to medication, insurance information, referrals to resources within BCAP and the community, assistance in filing applications, practical information, advocacy and emotional support. Your needs and progress are monitored over time. Case managers work to support individuals toward self-sufficiency through education and empowerment. Through assessment, planning, referral and monitoring, case managers assist you to develop tools to reach your own unique potential and reach your goals.

Access to Medical Care
BCAP medical case managers work with a variety of medical providers throughout the Denver/Boulder metro area, including but not limited to Beacon Center for Infectious Disease, Longmont’s Mountain View Clinic, University Hospital’s Infectious Disease Clinic, and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Denver.

Beacon Center for Infectious Disease
BCAP maintains a strong working relationship with Boulder Community Hospital’s Beacon Center for Infectious Disease -- BCID. BCAP provides an on-site case manager ten hours a week to act as a liaison between BCAP and the HIV specialists at the Beacon Clinic and Boulder Community Hospital. A monthly care consultation is held between case managers and medical providers to ensure good communication and that the highest quality of care is provided to patients of the clinic and agency. BCAP is a current participant in the Boulder County HIV/AIDS Regional Advisory Committee.

Treatment Advocacy/Education
Peer treatment advocates are available to talk with you about your treatment regimens, help with plans to address side effect issues, and help with medication adherence. BCAP also has a library of HIV-related books, cassettes, and videotapes available to the public. For AIDS information in Spanish 24 hours a day, call the National AIDS Spanish Hotline at 1-800-344-7432. The Beacon Center for Infectious Disease also offers the services of an Adherence Coordinator to help you address obstacles that may come up with taking medication.

Insurance
Your case manager can assist you in understanding and accessing insurance or other health care programs. They can also help you access the state medical insurance program. The Insurance Continuation Program can pay health insurance premiums for people living with HIV. There are also programs that assist individuals with access to vital HIV medications. Bridging the Gap, Colorado assists individuals on Medicare Part D who need to bridge the coverage gap of the Part D coverage.

Dental and Optical Care
Your case manager can help you access dental care through clinics available in Boulder Couty or a variety of HIV-informed dentists in our service area. Case managers can also assist you with a referral for eye exams and one pair of glasses, if you lack financial resources for this care.

Navigating Disability and other Financial Programs
Your case manager can assist you with applying for disability and back to work issues.

Financial Assistance
Financial grants are available to clients with symptomatic infection who have urgent needs that their regular income cannot cover. You could receive assistance to pay for such things as doctor’s bills, medications, complementary therapies, rent, insurance premiums, and other health-related needs. In order to receive emergency financial assistance you must have a current proof of residence, proof of income, a current budget and proof of the expense you are asking to be covered. Access to emergency financial assistance and/or housing is limited by grant eligibility requirements.

Housing
Affordable housing is limited in Boulder County. Your case manager can assist you with information about local homeless shelters, transitional housing, and applying for subsidized housing in our communities. BCAP may also be able to help eligible clients with emergency rental assistance in order to prevent eviction. Limited Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) support is available to provide tenant-based rental assistance.

BCAP Market
Good nutrition is vital to maintaining stable health for persons with HIV. BCAP maintains a supply of groceries available free to clients whose income makes it hard or impossible for them to maintain a healthy diet. If your income meets our eligibility requirements, you can receive a supplement to your regular grocery shopping twice a month.

Pro Bono Professional Services
BCAP can refer you to Boulder professionals who are sensitive to HIV-related issues and who offer services for a reduced fee or for no fee at all. Services available include acupuncture treatments, treatment advocacy, legal services, psychotherapy, spiritual counseling, and therapeutic bodywork. If you are in need of support services such as substance abuse counseling, risk reduction counseling, or mental health services let your case manager know. We are committed to offering services which address the needs of the newly diagnosed, as well as the needs of those who have been living with HIV for many years.

Support Groups
Support groups meet to provide a forum for sharing questions, stories, problems, or feelings with others who are coping with HIV. Check with your case manager about which groups are currently offered by BCAP or in the community.

Buddy / Mentor Program
The buddy program matches a BCAP volunteer with a client to provide emotional and practical support. A form of structured friendship, buddies have gone through BCAP volunteer training and agree to make a one year commitment to the buddy program. Buddies may provide emotional support, transportation, or practical support with such things as grocery shopping. Mentors match a more experienced person living with HIV with a newly diagnosed individual to provide support, experience and information. This may be a one-time meeting or more extended depending on the needs of the newly diagnosed individual. Our volunteer services staff has also been successful in providing a variety of tutors to clients who have requested them. Examples are English as a Second Language and GED preparation).

Risk Reduction/Prevention Outreach
Case managers work closely with prevention staff to ensure access to HIV testing for persons at risk in the community. BCAP prevention and care services staff are dedicated to providing accurate information, education and prevention messages to clients, partners, families and at-risk groups.