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Aging in America:
We Can Do Better
NASUAD is pleased to unveil a new set of Infographics that explore the funding and demand for, as well as the provision of, Older Americans Act (OAA) services, titled: Aging in America: We Can Do Better.
Signed into law in 1965, the OAA is considered the primary vehicle for organizing, coordinating, and delivering community based services that help older adults maintain their dignity and independence.
Through programs such as home delivered and congregate meals, transportation services, caregiver assistance, employment opportunities, and elder abuse prevention, the OAA enables millions of older adults to stay healthy and in their homes and communities, where they prefer to be, for longer than they might otherwise be able.
In addition to responding to the needs and preferences of seniors, the OAA is also cost effective. By helping older adults to age in place, OAA programs can prevent or delay the need for more costly institutional care, which translates into taxpayer savings and generates efficiencies in our nation's health care system.
Despite these successes, funding for OAA services has not kept pace with population or inflation growth for decades, and current funding levels are inadequate to meet this increased need. With the senior population projected to grow exponentially in the coming years, so too will the demand on OAA programs. Absent a strong, immediate investment in the OAA, millions of older adults may lose the critical services they need to stay independent.
Together, we can do better to meet the needs of current and future seniors, their families, and their caregivers. Given the demographic changes and fiscal challenges at the local, state, and federal levels, now is the time to strengthen, protect, and prioritize the OAA. As Older Americans Month 2013 draws to a close, NASUAD urges you to always remember what it means to be Aging in America today, and to never forget what it could mean tomorrow. We Can Do Better. We Should Do Better. We Must Do Better.
View the Individual Images.
Download the Printable Brochure.
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State Medicaid Integration Tracker
May 2013 Edition Published
NASUAD has published the May 2013 Edition of the State Medicaid Integration Tracker. The report is updated each month with information on the following state actions:
- Managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports (LTSS)
- State Demonstrations to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible Individuals and other Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Initiatives
- Other LTSS Reform Activities including Balancing Incentive Program (BIP), Medicaid State Plan amendments under �1915(i), Communities First Choice Option under �1915(k), and Medicaid Health Homes
Access NASUAD's State Medicaid Integration Tracker.
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Administration for Community Living |
Nine States Selected To Receive Business Capacity Targeted Technical Assistance
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has selected nine community-based organizations (CBOs), which will receive Business Capacity Targeted Technical Assistance by ACL. This initiative is to help coalitions or networks of community-based aging and disability organizations build skills and align service capabilities, so they can build business relationships with healthcare entities that do not typically provide community-based long-term services and supports, like hospitals, health systems, accountable care organizations, and managed/integrated care plans.
During the initiative's intensive education phase, the local networks will form a national learning collaborative that will share experiences, including lessons learned, innovative ideas, and best practices for providing integrated care in a variety of community settings. At the conclusion of the initiative, the collaborative will share its models and other tools with communities and local agencies facing similar challenges.
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2013 Webinar Series on Alzheimer's Disease and Resources
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) are collaborating to host a five-part webinar series with the goals of 1) improving coordination of federal resources available to assist people with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias and their family caregivers and 2) encouraging awareness of research participation opportunities.
NIA & ACL invite you to take advantage of these opportunities. You can register for register for all the webinars or just the one or two that most interest you. Registration will open approximately two months in advance of each webinar. The next webinar, People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Dementia, will take place on June 25, 2013, 1:30-3pm ET.
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Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities |
PCPID Releases 2012 Report to the President on Managed Long-Term Services and Supports
The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) within Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) has recently released Managed Long-Term Services and Supports: 2012 Report to the President. The report provides recommendations regarding Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The purpose of the PCPID 2012 Report to the President is to provide background on MLTSS to assist the intellectual and developmental disability community with understanding the changes occurring and ways to influence outcomes; and to provide recommendations to the President and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for consideration and possible action. The report also contains 15 recommendations in Disability stakeholder engagement; Choice and self-determination; Consumer protections and rights; and Quality measurement, data collection, and research.
View Summary of PCPID report.
View Full Version of PCPID report.
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program
If you help people with Original Medicare get certain durable medical equipment and supplies, such as oxygen, walkers, or wheelchairs, you should know about a Medicare program, called the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, that saves money for taxpayers and people with Medicare and may change the suppliers people with Medicare will need to use.
The first round of the program went into effect in nine areas of the country on January 1, 2011, reducing money spent for equipment included in the program by over 42 percent in its first year of operation while maintaining access to quality equipment and supplies. Now the program's benefits are coming to people with Original Medicare near you, and there is some important information you need to know. Round 2 of the program is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2013, and expands it to 91 additional areas across the country. These areas can be found in the fact sheet.
When the program starts, people with Original Medicare who live in or travel to one of these areas and need the items listed below will likely need to get these items from contract suppliers if they want Medicare to help pay, unless their current suppliers decide to become grandfathered suppliers (non-contract suppliers that choose to continue to provide certain rented medical equipment or oxygen under the terms of the program).
So people will need to find out which suppliers are Medicare contract suppliers to make sure Medicare can help pay for their medical equipment or supplies. You can find out if a supplier is a contract supplier for the program by visiting here or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
In addition eight product categories included in Round 2 of the program, Medicare will be starting a national mail-order program for diabetic testing supplies at the same time as Round 2. The national mail-order program will include all parts of the United States, including the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. When the national mail-order program starts, people with Original Medicare will need to use a contract supplier for diabetic testing supplies delivered to their homes.
Starting May 13, 2013, Medicare is mailing information to people with Medicare in the 91 Round 2 areas who use the items included in the program, in addition to those who use diabetic testing supplies across the country. Approximately 5.7 million people with Medicare will get a letter and information. You can review the letters, introductory brochure, national mail-order program fact sheet and other program education materials by visiting here.
If you help people with Original Medicare who live in or travel to one of the Round 2 areas and who need one of the items included in the program or who use diabetic testing supplies, please make this information available to them.
On June 3, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., a representative from CMS Region 10 will be presenting on the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program within the Aging and Disability Track at the AIRS Conference (June 2-5 in Portland, OR).
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Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Allotment Payment Reductions
CMS put on display at the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled "Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital Allotment Payment Reductions" (CMS-2367-P.) The Affordable Care Act requires aggregate reductions to state Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) allotments annually from fiscal year (FY) 2014 through FY 2020, at the same time as the Marketplace and Medicaid provide increased coverage options that will likely reduce uncompensated care levels for hospitals. The proposed rule includes a reduction methodology for FY 2014 and FY 2015 only. A CMS fact sheet describing the rule is available here.
The rule is available here. Public comments are due July 12, 2013. Please refer to the Federal Register for information about how to submit comments.
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Social Security Administration |
Getting A Social Security Card Or Social Security Number Printout
Whether your clients need a Social Security card or a Social Security number printout, they must show us documents to prove their:
- Identity;
- Age; and
- U.S. citizenship or lawful immigration status.
Before sending clients to a Social Security office, please direct them to www.socialsecurity.gov. There, your clients will find a list of documents they must bring to our office.
The parts of the Social Security website that offer the most relevant details include:
Your clients also may want to take a look at the specific online fact sheets and publications that address the requirements for getting a printout or card. Also available at www.socialsecurity.gov, they include:
- U.S. Citizen/Adult - Social Security Card And Number Printout (SSA Publication No. 05-10512);
- U.S. Citizen/Child - Social Security Card And Number Printout (SSA Publication No. 05-10514); and
- Non-U.S. Citizen/Adult - Social Security Card And Number Printout (SSA Publication No. 05-10515).
Employers and third parties can find out how to verify Social Security numbers here.
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Sen. Sanders Unveils OAA Reauthorization Legislation
On Thursday, May 23, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chairman of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, introduced legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA), the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2013 (S. 1028). During the OAA Summit held in conjunction with the bill's introduction, Sen. Sanders highlighted the importance of a timely reauthorization, noting that "With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, our country's growing population of seniors includes many who rely on these critical programs to help them stay in their own homes and communities."
NASUAD applauds Sen. Sanders for his leadership in championing OAA reauthorization in the 113th Congress, and we look forward to working with him and his colleagues to advance reauthorization in a bipartisan, bicameral way. As such, we urge the leadership of the Senate HELP and House Education and Workforce Committees to take up this important issue, and to work together and with stakeholders towards a reauthorization that will strengthen and improve the OAA, as well as the health, independence, and dignity of those that it serves.
The measure is currently co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) Al Franken (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
Review a fact sheet on the bill or read the bill.
An archived video stream of the May 23 OAA Summit is available.
Read NASUAD's statement on the bill.
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Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative
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PowerUP! Training: Build Your Capacity with Volunteer Teams
The Aging Network's Volunteer Collaborative invites you to participate in their PowerUP! Training at the n4a Annual Conference. The PowerUP! Training helps Aging Network organizations learn how to engage with older adult volunteers to expand their organization's reach and better serve older adults using self-directed teams.
Click here to learn more.
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AARP Publishes A New Report on Medicaid
AARP Public Policy Institute recently published a new report Medicaid: A Program of Last Resort for People Who Need Long-Term Services and Supports. Most older people need some long-term services and supports during their lifetimes. Nearly a third of older people are projected to deplete their life savings and turn to Medicaid for assistance as their ability to care for themselves declines. Designed as a program for people with low incomes and few assets, Medicaid is a safety net of last resort for those whose needs exceed what unpaid family and friends can provide, and who exhaust their resources paying out-of-pocket for care.
Access full report and printable infographic.
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National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) |
NASADAD Holds Annual Meeting in June
The Annual Meeting of the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) is taking place June 18-19, 2013 in Bethesda, Maryland at the Hyatt Regency following a June 17 NASADAD-National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Cross-Over Day for State Directors only. Component group members, including the National Treatment Network (NTN), National Prevention Network (NPN), Women's Services Network (WSN) will meet separately to conduct business on June 17. NASADAD members will be receiving additional information regarding the Board Meetings and Business Meeting in future updates.
Additional Information on the Annual Meeting.
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National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) |
Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILC-NET) Holds a National Teleconference and Webinar
Title: Strategic Partnerships & Relationships with Other Disability Organizations
This webinar is perfect for Statewide Independent Living Council staff and council members who want to take their SILC to the next level! Participants will learn who SILCs should be working with, how to create effective partnerships, and how to create a strong IL network in your state. Our presenters will cover required partnerships, as well as strategic partnerships for particular goals and initiatives. You'll even learn which partnerships your SILC may want to avoid. Register today to gain access to the information and resources your SILC needs to get the most of strategic partnerships at the local, state, and national levels.
Date: June 19, 2013 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. EDT
Register online or by using the printable registration form (PDF).
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National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) |
NSCLC Releases Continuity of Care in the Dual Eligible Demonstrations: A Tool for Advocates
A key protection for dual eligibles who are enrolling in the financial alignment demonstration projects being undertaken by states and the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) is continuity of care. Individuals joining plans participating in the financial alignment demonstrations need a smooth transition without disruption in providers or services while their new plan takes over their care. The five Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that have been approved for the financial alignment model -Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, California and Virginia-all discuss care continuity, but each is significantly different. From a beneficiary point of view, each includes some important protections but all have significant gaps. Using the five MOUs as a starting point, NSCLC identifies important elements in a continuity of care policy that advocates should address with their states.
Click here to access the publication. |
PBS NewsHour: Long-Term Care in America
This week, PBS kicks off coverage of long-term care in America with a segment that will be the first in a series of videos on this critical element of aging with dignity and independence. Coverage will also include articles and infographics.
To view the videos, go to PBS NewsHour Long-Term Care In America. |
SHIP National Resource Center |
Prescription and Benefits Access in Disasters
In light of the deadly May 20th tornado in Oklahoma, you may have concerns about clients' access to prescriptions and Medicare benefits. According to CMS guidelines, Medicare Part D plans must guarantee immediate refills of medications for any members located in disaster areas. Likewise, the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service is able to offer quick, short-term food assistance benefits to families in need through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
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National Resource Center on Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs Financed by 2013 Prevention and Public Health Funds
Grant Title: National Resource Center on Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs financed by 2013 Prevention and Public Health Funds (PPHF-2013)
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits
Close Date: June 17, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-CR-0042
CDFA Number: 93.734
Grant Amount: $2,730,000 for 1 award
Description: This opportunity will enable the Center to assist states, the aging, disability and public health networks and their partners to increase access to and sustain evidence-based prevention programs, particularly Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) programs, that improve the health and quality of life of older adults and adults with disabilities. The Center will serve as a national clearinghouse of tools and information on CDSMEs.
More Info on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply through www.grants.gov.
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Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: Medicare Savings Program, Low Income Subsidy & Prescription Drug Enrollment Assistance through the Aging Network, SHIP and ADRCs
Grant Title: Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: Medicare Savings Program, Low Income Subsidy & Prescription Drug Enrollment Assistance through the Aging Network, State Health Insurance Assistance Program and Aging & Disability Resource Centers
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: State governments
Close Date: June 20, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-MI-0056
CDFA Number: 93.071
Grant Amount: $18,980,000 for 56 awards
Description: CMS and ACL seek plans from states that will describe how the 2013 MIPPA funds will be used to enhance those efforts through statewide and local coalition building focused on intensified outreach activities to help beneficiaries understand and apply for their Medicare benefits. CMS and ACL request that states describe specific project plans to expand, extend, or enhance the outreach efforts to beneficiaries on Medicare Part D and for those with limited incomes. States should describe how the SHIP, AAA and ADRC efforts will be coordinated to provide outreach to beneficiaries with limited incomes statewide, for general Medicare Part D outreach and assistance to beneficiaries in rural areas and for outreach activities aimed at Medicare prevention and wellness benefits as well as the improvements in the Part D program under the Affordable Care Act as mandated by Section 3306 of the Act. States are asked to review their 2010 MIPPA plans and update these plans to reflect successes achieved to date and direct their efforts to enhance and expand their MIPPA outreach activities.
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Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: A National Resource Center
Grant Title: The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act: A National Resource Center
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofits
Close Date: June 20, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-MI-0056
CDFA Number: 93.071
Grant Amount: $4,745,000 for 1 award
Description: The national MIPPA resource center will coordinate efforts to inform older Americans and beneficiaries with disabilities about the benefits available under federal and state programs, with an emphasis on providing information on the Low Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Program benefits. This resource center, as it has in the past, will serve as a technical assistance resource center for the MIPPA grantees.
More Information on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply through www.grants.gov.
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Measuring the Value of Prevention within the SMP Program
Grant Title: Measuring the Value of Prevention within the SMP Program
Agency Issuing Grant: Administration for Community Living
Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted
Close Date: July 8, 2013
Funding Opportunity Number: HHS-2013-ACL-AOA-SH0-0059
CDFA Number: 93.048
Grant Amount: $200,000 for 1 cooperative agreement
Description: This opportunity will describe how to best conduct research on prevention education, to determine how to best measure and quantify the effects of these efforts. This research may include, but is not limited to, identification of methodologies for measuring cost savings or avoidance associated with SMP's fraud prevention efforts. Specifically, ACL is interested in reviewing and supporting applications that will describe how the applicant will: Conduct a literature review of methods to quantify the effects of community education on prevention to identify an appropriate methodology for measuring these efforts in general and within the SMP context; Determine how to best measure and estimate the effects of community education on health care fraud prevention according to the identified methodology; and Develop and implement, in conjunction with selected volunteer SMP project grantees, a pilot study to demonstrate the above developed measures and tools using the SMP program and the program's Medicare fraud prevention efforts.
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Grants to States to Support Health Insurance Rate Review and Increase Transparency in Health Care Pricing, Cycle III
Grant Title: Grants to States to Support Health Insurance Rate Review and Increase Transparency in Health Care Pricing, Cycle III
Agency Issuing Grant: CMS-Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight
Eligible Applicants: State governments
Close Date: August 1, 2013 (LOI due June 17, 2013)
Funding Opportunity Number: PR-PRP-13-001
CDFA Number: 93.511
Grant Amount: $87 million for 57 awards
Description: Cycle III will continue the rate review successes of Cycle I and II as well as to provide greater support to Data Centers. By increasing support to Data Centers through the Cycle III FOA, HHS hopes to increase transparency in health care pricing, thereby helping consumers and employers make better health care decisions. Cycle III grant provides resources to states to achieve or maintain their "Effective Rate Review" Program status.
More Info on this funding opportunity.
Applicants must apply through www.grants.gov
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NASHP Seeks Medicare/Medicaid Dual Eligibles Program Manager
The National Academy for State Health Policy is seeking an experienced individual to work with states to adopt delivery system and financing reforms for policies and programs serving individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The program manager will work with funders to develop and implement projects that analyze and evaluate state integrated demonstration programs. The program manager will design and conduct policy research, evaluations, and analyses both independently and as part of a team, and write reports on research and evaluation findings. The position is based in Washington, DC. Click here to access the full position announcement. |
ECNV Seeks Executive Director
The ENDependence Center of Northern Virginia (ECNV) is seeking an experienced, mission- and results-driven, proactive individual to serve as Executive Director. ECNV is the Center for Independent Living serving Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun Counties and the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church in Northern Virginia. The candidate must be able to provide leadership on service provision, education on issues of concern to people with disabilities, and meet corporate financial goals. A commitment to consumer-directed services and understanding of Independent Living philosophy is required. Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume, with salary requirement, to [email protected] by June 3, 2013 at 3 p.m. EDT.
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Additional Job Opportunities
To see more job postings, please visit NASUAD.org.
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