NASUAD Publishes Updated State Medicaid Integration Tracker

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) has published the November 2014 Edition of the State Medicaid Integration Tracker, a report which summarizes state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), as well state initiatives relating to services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. This report is updated each month.  

The State Medicaid Integration Tracker focuses primarily on state actions in managed care for people who receive Medicaid-funded LTSS and on state initiatives relating to services and costs of services for people who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare.

Please note that the tracker has been reformatted beginning this month.  In order to improve readability of the tracker, we are only including new updates for each state in the monthly PDF publication. 

The request for applications can be viewed here.  

Medicare Open Enrollment Reminder

Between October 15 and December 7, beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare prescription drug plan coverage. Medicare's drug benefit (Part D) is outpatient prescription drug coverage for anyone with Medicare. 

During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, from October 15 to December 7, PBS is writing a series of articles to help people with Medicare understand their options and how to make the best health care decisions. Articles in the series include: How to find a Medicare Part D drug plan online, How to plug holes in your Medicare coverage, and The Medicare drug subsidy that millions enrollees overlook.

Click here  to view the PBS series.  

NCD Releases Annual Progress Report on National Disability Policy

The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released the 2014 edition of National Disability Policy: A Progress Report. The 2014 Progress Report focuses on seven key areas: the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD), employment access and inclusion, subminimum wage, education outcomes, Medicaid managed care, mental health care, and data trends in disability policy. The report provides policy recommendations in each area with the goal of promoting a more inclusive environment. In addition, the 2014 annual Progress Report revisits data tables offered in the 2011 NCD annual report. This section of the report provides updates to the 2011 data tables and also introduces new data tables relevant to some of the topics addressed in the current report. Tables are organized by the following broad topics: employment and earnings, education, health and wellbeing, civil rights, voting, and technology.

In conclusion, the report finds that the United States has experienced a significant cultural shift since the NCD became an independent federal agency 30 years ago from a society that took a charity approach to meeting the needs of people with disabilities to one that promotes inclusion through policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of people with disabilities. As the NCD looks to the future, it is especially focused on opportunities for the social and economic mobility of youth with disabilities. Based on this direction, NCD will tailor its 2015 policy focus on youth-related outcomes as they pertain to achieving the goals of the ADA: full participation, economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and equality of opportunity. 

To access the report, click here.

Alzheimer's Disease Research Summit 2015

The Alzheimer's Disease Research Summit 2015: Path to Treatment and Prevention will be held February 9-10, 2015 at the National Institutes of Health.  The central goal of the Summit is to continue the development of an integrated multidisciplinary research agenda necessary to address critical knowledge gaps and accelerate the discovery and delivery of effective treatments for Alzheimer's patients at all stages of disease.  Key to achieving this goal is the identification of resources/infrastructure and multi-stakeholder partnerships necessary to successfully implement this research agenda and strategies to empower patients and engage citizens.

Click here to register.

On November 1st 2014, President Barack Obama made a presidential proclamation in recognition of National Family Caregiver Month.  President Obama stated:

Not only this month, but every month, let us work alongside our Nation's caregivers and make certain they are able to provide the best possible care for their loved ones for as long as necessary. Together, we recognize those who place service above self, including the women and men looking after our veterans. By offering them the same comfort, social engagement, and stability they bring to others, may we remind them that they are not alone."

Congress Returns for Lame Duck Session

Webinar: Partnership for Background Checks

The Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative, along with n4a and First Advantage, a national provider of comprehensive background screening services, will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, November 19th from 1:00-2:00pm EST, to learn about the partnership established in October 2012 to leverage premier-level services through web-based tools at a discounted rate - in some cases almost 80 percent off typical rates - for the Aging Network. These screening services can be used for volunteers and employees.

National Memory Screening Day: November 18th

November 18, 2014 is National Memory Screening Day.  This day provides free, confidential memory screenings to individuals concerned about memory loss with the objective of early detection and intervention.  The event encourages Americans to participate by offering screenings at no charge and in convenient locations in communities across the nation. National Memory Screening Day also provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about healthy lifestyle choices for successful aging.

Click here to find a screening in your area.

Click here to sign up as a site. 

Webinar: Frequently Asked Questions on the ADA:  Alternative Modes of Transportation

On Wednesday, November 19th, 2:00-3:30 PM EST, the Easter Seals Project ACTION staff will present a webinar on the rights of individuals with disabilities using alternative modes of transportation.  Staff will discuss questions frequently received on the ADA with regards to alternate modes of transportation, such as how much assistance a taxicab operator is required to provide to people with disabilities; and the requirements under the ADA on level rail boarding.  The webinar will cover the following alternative modes of transportation:  Taxicabs; ridesharing applications; bike sharing; shuttles; and rail.  A question and answer period will be held at the end of the session.

 
Click here to register for the webinar.  Deadline to register is November 17, 2014.

Kaiser Foundation Releases Report on Medicaid Coverage Gap

On November 12th, the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report that provides statistics and information about uninsured individuals in the Medicaid coverage gap.  The Medicaid gap is a term used to describe uninsured individuals who do not have enough income to qualify for ACA subsidies and who live in a state that has elected not to expand their Medicaid program.  According to the Kaiser report, approximately four million individuals are in the Medicaid gap across the country.   51% of the uninsured individuals are men and 49% are women, with 17% of these people in the 55-64 age range. 

Webinar: Dual Eligible Demonstrations - An Update for Advocates

On Wednesday, December 3rd, 3:00-4:00 PM EST, the National Senior Citizens Law Center will present a free webinar on the dual eligible demonstrations.  Over the past year, hundreds of thousands of dual eligible beneficiaries in several states received passive enrollment notices as part of the Financial Alignment Initiative.  On January 1, 2015, another large wave of passive enrollment will begin.  The webinar will provide an update for advocates navigating the existing enrollment process, as well as prepare advocates of states expected to begin enrollment in 2015.  More specifically, the webinar will:  Provide a status update on enrollment numbers and timelines; explore common enrollment and care delivery themes in live demonstration states; offer tips for advocates managing early demonstration challenges; and share policy questions for states with later implementation dates.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Webinar: How the Section 5310 Program Enhances Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities 

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, 2:00 PM EST, the National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) will present a webinar on how the new Section 5310 Program works to enhance mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities.  NCST will bring together state and local experts to discuss their experiences and lessons learned about how the Section 5310 Program is likely to impact transportation for seniors and people with disabilities in their communities.      

Click here to register for the webinar.

Click here for a general Fact Sheet on Section 5310 from the Federal Transit Administration.

2014 State of Health Care Quality Report

This report summarizes audited Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) results for calendar year 2013. Data come from a record number of health plans -- 814 HMOs and 353 PPOs, representing more than 171 million people, or 54 percent of the U.S. population. The report includes findings about the nation's health care system, notably:

• Almost half of quality measures show significant, long-term improvement.
• Populations have doubled in health plans that report quality results. 
• A few bright spots on overuse and appropriateness.
• Poor results but a promising future for behavioral health. 
• Progress is stalled in many areas; a handful show consistent, significant decline.

Click here to access the report.

Roundtable topics include:

• The Link Between Retirement Security and Long-Term Care
• Integrated Care: Breaking Down the Workers' Compensation and General Health Care Silos
• Health Insurance Exchanges - What Have We Learned?
• Supporting Work: Strategies to Boost Employment for People with Disabilities
• Unemployment Insurance Benefits, Financing, and Reemployment Services after the Great Recession

Uwe Reinhardt, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at Princeton University, will give keynote speech to followed by a full day of discussion on the  innovations affecting the healthcare landscape and redefining the policy and operating environment for Medicare and Medicaid.

 Early bird rates expire on November 30th (Save $175!) Click here to register.

The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD), the membership organization of the agencies in state government that manage programs for older people and adults with physical disabilities, seeks a public policy intern.

Responsibilities include analyzing aging and disability data, developing and/or maintaining databases, assisting with project management, and conducting legislative and policy research. 

Applicants must have strong data analytic, data management, research and written communication skills.  Candidacy for a Master's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration or Public Health is required.  Hours are flexible to accommodate classes.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to: eristeen@nasuad.org.  NASUAD is committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants for employment.