NASUAD Published Updated State Medicaid Integration Tracker
NASUAD has published the November 2015 Edition of the State Medicaid Integration Tracker. The State Medicaid Integration Tracker is a monthly report summarizing state actions in Managed Long Term Services and Supports (MLTSS), as well as State Demonstrations to Integrate Care for Dual Eligible Individuals and other Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Initiatives.
The Tracker also includes updates on state participation in other LTSS activities, including: the Balancing Incentive Program; Medicaid State Plan Amendments under 1915(i); Community First Choice Option under 1915(k); and Medicaid Health Homes. This tracker includes new updates for each state that occurred during the most recent month.
Click here to view this month's Tracker.
Click here for comprehensive information on each state, as well as archived versions of the Tracker.
Click here to sign up for alerts on Tracker updates.
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AARP Blog Highlights NCI-AD
In a blog posted on November 5, 2015, AARP highlighted states' efforts to measure quality in their long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older people and adults with disabilities using the National Core Indicators-Aging and Disabilities (NCI-AD) consumer survey tool. NCI-AD gathers valid and reliable data that states can use for state-to-state, regional, and programmatic comparisons and to drive improvements in care and quality of life for LTSS consumers. June 1, 2015, marked the official launch of this state-run initiative, with 14 states committing to a statewide survey this year.
NASUAD has partnered with Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) to develop and run the NCI-AD initiative. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kelsey Walter.
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Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging & Disabilities Call for Sessions- Only 3 More Days to Apply!
The Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging & Disabilities in May 2016 will shine a regional and national spotlight on the actions the aging and disability community is taking to meet the current challenges and embrace new opportunities. Presenting at the Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging and Disabilities provides you with opportunity to share new ideas or highlight noteworthy programs and practices with other professionals in the field.
Do you have a new program you think your colleagues from across the nation could learn from? Are you delivering services in a noteworthy way? The Iowa Governor's Conference on Aging and Disabilities is looking for you.
Presenters include everyone from professionals who work in the field of aging and disabilities to practitioners in allied professions such as social work, healthcare, architecture, law, finance and more. The conference welcomes all interested presenters to submit proposals, particularly encouraging those showcasing replicable systems and models attendees can use to address common challenges. The deadline to submit applications is Monday, November 9, 2105.
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HCBS Clearinghouse E-Clips
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This section of Friday Update highlights reports that have been added to the HCBS Clearinghouse within the past week. Visit www.nasuad.org/hcbs for more information.
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The Impact of Employment on Health and Health Care Costs for People with Disabilities
The LEAD Center published a policy brief that examines the impact of employment programs on health care costs for working-age people with disabilities. People with disabilities are responsible for a disproportionate amount of healthcare spending each year, mainly through Medicare and Medicaid. Employment of people with disabilities shows a "protective impact" on health, which would ultimately help to lower public spending on health care for this population. The brief specifically shows the correlation between employment and health and a causal relationship between work and health status.
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| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
Final Rule Issued for 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule that explains how they will pay for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries by physicians and other health care professionals in 2016. The policies in this rule include finalizing the Home Health Value-Based Purchasing model, the "Two-Midnight" rule, the End-Stage Renal Disease Quality Incentive Program, the new physician payment system, and payment for advance care planning. Providers will now be paid for end-of-life planning to encourage advanced care counseling. These payment rules help to publicize CMS' dedication to improving quality, value, and patient-centered care.
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Proposed Rule Revises Discharge Planning to Include Patient Preference
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule that would change the discharge planning requirements that must be met to participate in Medicare and Medicaid. The proposed revisions would improve quality of care, reduce readmissions and complications, and include patient preferences in the process. The Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation Act of 2014 (IMPACT Act) provides discharge planning requirements that will be added following the finalization of the rule. These requirements allow for the involvement of patient input and participation in their discharge planning. The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register with a 60-day comment period. All comments must be submitted by Monday, January 4, 2015, at 5 p.m. ET.
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| Department of Health and Human Services |
Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Begins
The United States Department of Health and Human Services announced the start of the Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment period for 2016. This period began on Sunday, November 1, 2015, and runs until January 31, 2016. Open Enrollment is the time when people without health insurance can sign up for new affordable and quality coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, it is important for current beneficiaries to reevaluate their plans to identify if there are better options for the new year. Beneficiaries can search through Healthcare.gov for different plan options and to compare costs and premiums.
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| National Institute on Aging |
Resources for Long Distance Caregivers
Being a caregiver comes with many challenges, and acting as a long distance caregiver comes with even more obstacles. The National Institute on Aging has created several resources to help long distance caregivers. The tip sheets offer advice on different type of information that should be accessed, sharing responsibilities among a family, and referrals for services. Additionally, using their hashtag, #caregiving, will help to spread these great resources to other families that may need them.
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Creation of a Medicaid Task Force
The House Energy and Commerce Committee has created a Medicaid Task Force to evaluate and strengthen the crucial program. Health Subcommittee Vice Chairman, Brett Guthrie, will chair the task force, which is composed of only Republican Representatives. Committee Chairman, Fred Upton, appointed Representative Marsha Blackburn, Representative Susan Brooks, Representative Larry Bucshon, Representative Michael C. Burgess, Representative Chris Collins, Representative Bill Flores, and Representative Markwayne Mullin to serve on the task force.
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| American Society on Aging |
Webinar: Ageism in America- A Call for Research
The American Society on Aging is hosting a webinar on the current climate of ageism in America. A call for research is the best way to move forward with combating ageism in our society. The webinar will present the current research agenda which addresses the following issues: the pressing need to understand the role ageism plays in workforce participation and performance; the ways in which ageism may limit the effectiveness of interventions to improve health in older populations; and, failure in much scientific research to differentiate between pathological and normal aging, thus producing overly negative conclusions about the effects of aging. The webinar will be presented by Laura L Carstensen and Sarah Raposo. Laura L Carstensen, Ph.D is a Fairleigh S. Dickinson Jr. Professor of Public Policy at Stanford University and Director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and Sarah Raposo, B.A., is a doctoral candidate in the psychology department at Stanford University. Complimentary CEUs are available for participants and pre-registration is required. This webinar will take place on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
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Webinar: The Value of Knowing: The Importance of Early Detection
The Alzheimer's Association is hosting a webinar on the importance of the early detection of Alzheimer's disease. Cyndy Cordell, Director, Health Care Professional Services, Alzheimer's Association, will teach attendees the facts about early detection and explain the benefits of early diagnosis. Additionally, the tools and trainings that public health departments are using to detect cognitive impairment will be highlighted, including the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. Attendance of the webinar is free but pre-registration is required. This webinar will take place on Thursday, November 12, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
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| National Council on Aging |
Webinar: Current Trends in Benefits Access
The Center for Benefits Access, housed by the National Council on Aging, is hosting a webinar on the current trends in benefits access. Many changes to state and national policies have occurred over the last year, changing the climate for low-income Medicare beneficiaries. NCOA presenters will teach attendees about the trends for low-income beneficiaries over the past year and offer predictions for 2016. The webinar is free of charge and will take place on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
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| Health Management Associates |
Webinar: Implementing a Successful Care Management Program
Health Management Associates (HMA) is hosting a webinar on the most feasible approaches to starting successful care management programs. The development of care management programs is on the rise because they help to identify members that need interventions, effective care plans, consultations, and reliable methodologies for tracking results. Presenter Nancy Jaeckels Kamp, Principal, HMA, will teach attendees about the elements of a successful care management program, the most practical approaches to developing new programs, and the infrastructure and workflow plans that deliver the best results. This webinar is recommended for primary care and behavioral health clinicians; executives of primary care practices, hospitals, health systems, and health centers; nurses and care managers; and health plan care management staff. The webinar is free of charge and will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
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| Jewish Federation of North America |
Grants Available for Organizations Working with Holocaust Survivors
The Jewish Federation of North America's (JFNA's) Center for Advancing Holocaust Survivor Care has several grants available for organizations to advance person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) services for Holocaust survivors. Grant awards will come from the federal government and JFNA sources and a matching contribution is required for large grant recipients. An optional informational phone call will be held for interested parties on Thursday, November 12, 2015. Participation in the informational call is limited, so please share phone lines if possible. A letter of intent to apply is required and is due on Friday, November 13, 2015. All applications must be received by Wednesday, December 2, 2015.
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Financing Long-Term Services and Supports Briefing
The SCAN Foundation is hosting a Health Affairs Briefing on financing long-term services and supports. AARP, the SCAN Foundation, and LeadingAge funded "Financing Long-Term Services and Supports: Options Reflect Trade-Offs for Older Americans and Federal Spending," a study that examines the impact policy changes could have on increasing insurance's role in financing LTSS. This study was authored by Melissa M. Favreault and the Urban Institute's Howard Gleckman and Richard W. Johnson. The briefing will mainly be a discussion of the study and what policy changes can be made to improve the current issues with financing LTSS. A panel of ten distinguished experts will present at the briefing. The event will take place on Tuesday, November 17, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.
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American Society on Aging's Leadership Institute
The American Society on Aging is hosting a Leadership Institute to run concurrently with their Aging in America Conference. The ASA Leadership Institute is a five day leadership development intensive that offers self-assessments of communication and leadership styles, presentations by recognized leaders in the field of aging, facilitated dialogue, networking opportunities, leadership literature and online learning. Ideal participants for this program have at least three years of experience in the aging field, strong leadership skills, and an interest in continuing their profession in this field. Registration for the Institute closes on February 18, 2016. This event will take place from Sunday, March 20, 2016, to Thursday, March 24, 2016.
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Anthem Seeks Program Director for IDD Implementation & Support Services
Anthem, Inc. is seeking applicants for the position of Program Director for IDD Implementation and Support Services. The Program Director is responsible for providing broad product leadership and guidance for the implementation and management of the IDD product line across the enterprise. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in a related field, ten years of experience in external client facing program management, project management, and strategic/business planning. Additionally, the applicant must have working knowledge of IDD and LTSS programs within local plans throughout the United States. Project management certification is preferred. This application period will remain open until the position is filled.
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