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ConnectAbility of MN currently has just over 100 home modifications in process across 62 counties in MN. Our subcontractors are still catching up with the backlog of Covid-19 shutdowns and material shortages. We are not finding a lack of materials this summer, however, the number of projects that need to be completed is still extremely high.
When we receive a referral from a case manager, we get started right away with getting onsite quotes from our dedicated subcontractors. We prepare quotes for the counties for their review and service agreements. Once the service agreement claims have been billed and remitted, we make a payment to the subcontractor to get on their schedules.
With the number of projects we are currently managing we have made the decision to suspend new referrals for home modifications. The reason for this is that material costs will still be accurate by the time the project starts. The market is still very volatile regarding the pricing fluctuations of the cost of construction materials and to be fair to the subcontractors and avoid having to come back to the county for an increase in the project due to material costs when the project begins.
This is only a limited-time suspension of Home Modification referral forms. When we see the projects starting within a responsible amount of time from the time the service agreement is executed, we will start accepting new referrals. We expect this temporary situation only to be for a few months.
We want to make sure that we are protecting our subcontractor’s costs, managing the expectations of the clients, and helping manage the timeline for the case managers’ project management.
We appreciate your partnership and look forward to continuing to assist your clients in staying in their own homes safely and independently.