In observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, we will not be publishing the Friday Update next Friday, November 27, 2015.
We will see you back on Friday, December 4, 2015. Enjoy the holiday!
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I&R Center Webinar: NASUAD's 2015 State of the States
The National I&R Support Center will host a webinar on NASUAD's 2015 State of the States in Aging and Disability survey. This webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, 2015, from 3:00-4:00p.m. ET.
NASUAD's 2015 State of the States report provides detailed information on each state's long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems. This report is the result of a yearlong research project that collected information about the significant policy, fiscal, and operational issues occurring within each state. The results of the 2015 survey represent a snapshot of the current status of state government employees, the agencies that administer the programs, and the services that are provided. NASUAD's Senior Director Damon Terzaghi will present key themes and findings from the survey.
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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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Medical Loss Ratio Report
On November 19th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new report that shows the premium rebate record since 2011. The Affordable Care Act requires that health insurance companies spend a minimum of 80% of premium dollars on health care, resulting in $2.4 billion in consumer rebates since 2011. CMS' results indicate that consumers are receiving a higher value for their premium dollars as a result of the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR), 80/20 rule. This report examines rebated paid during the 2014 plan year, which was the first year that all of the Affordable Care Act reforms were in place.
Click here to access the report and findings.
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| Administration for Community Living |
ACL Published Independent Living Proposed Rule: Comments Wanted
On Monday, November 16th, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) published a proposed rule that will consolidate and streamline Independent Living regulations. The rule will provide information on the new requirements from the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA moved the Independent Living programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the rule reflects the new regulations that will apply under HHS. The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register with a 60-day comment period. Comments must be made through Regulations.gov, which provides an accessible portal for information regarding regulations. All comments must be submitted by Friday, January 15, 2016, at 5 p.m. ET.
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| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
Webinar: Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model Final Rule
On Monday, November 16th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model. Use of the CJR model will begin on April 1, 2016, and holds hospitals accountable for the care they provide to Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries during hip and knee replacements and other major procedures on the legs. CMS is holding a webinar to discuss the final rule and respond to questions from stakeholders. Pre-registration is required, large audiences are anticipated so please register early. This webinar will take place on Monday, November 30, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET.
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Congress Passes Bill to Extend Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Demonstration Project
On Monday, November 16th, the House passed Senate Bill 599, which would allow HHS to extend the Medicaid Emergency Psychiatric Demonstration Project. The demonstration was authorized by the Affordable Care Act as a way to test whether allowing reimbursement for services provided in psychiatric hospitals improves the quality and cost of care. Under the provisions of the bill, the demonstration could continue in existing states, and HHS could authorize new states to participate, until the end of 2019 if the HHS Secretary and the CMS actuary certify there will not be an increase in overall Medicaid expenditures. The legislation also directs HHS to treat any increase in total Medicaid expenditures by a state due to the demonstration as an overpayment, subject to recoupment. The legislation previously passed the Senate and now heads to the President for his signature.
Click here to learn more about the demonstration. Click here to view the legislation extending the demonstration.
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| AARP Public Policy Institute |
Blog Post on the Importance of Respite Services for Caregivers
Respite is one of the most pressing needs of families and friends who take on a caregiving role. November is National Family Caregivers Month and this year's theme is respite care. To honor this month, AARP Public Policy Institute published their latest blog post by Lynn Friss Feinberg on why we need a new research agenda to show the benefits and effectiveness of respite services. A recent report by a panel of experts found that we need to develop a common definition of respite care in order to move forward and evaluate the services that are offered.
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True Help for Veterans with Disabilities Web Event
Allsup is hosting a web event on true help for veterans living with disabilities. This event launched on November 10th, but after registering to enter the event, attendees will have access to resources, will be able to submit questions and participate in various polls and surveys. The program includes information on veteran mental health programs, Parkinson's disease, and assistance resources for VA disability and Social Security disability benefits. The program provides relevant information for Veterans, family members, and those who work with them. Allsup partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Parkinson Disease Association, and Allsup Veterans Disability Appeal Services.
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New Documentary about the Realities LGBT Elders Face
A new documentary, Gen Silent, by Stu Maddux reveals the realities that Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender older adults may face during this phase of their lives. This eye-opening documentary follows the stories of six LGBT elders over the course of a year, revealing a shocking culture that needs to be addressed. Many LGBT elders must re-enter the closet and hide their identities in order to avoid discrimination and abuse from caregivers, peers, and facility staff. This generation of elders faced oppression for their sexual preferences throughout their lives and this directly affects their fear about being out in care facilities.
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| Health Management Associates |
Webinar: Total Cost of Care Benchmarks & Physician Practices
Health Management Associates is hosting a webinar on the Total Cost of Care Benchmarks and Physician Practices. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) funded the pilot program of the Total Cost of Care and Resource Use framework to identify and address healthcare overuse and inefficiency in five areas of the country. Currently, the pilot program is being implented in five regional healthcare improvement collaboratives. Presenters Ellen Gagnon, Senior Project and Operations Director, Network for Regional Healthcare Improvement; Gunnar Nelson, Health Economist, MN Community Measurement; Sharon Silow-Carroll, Managing Principal, HMA; and Meredith Roberts Tomasiahn, Program Director, Oregon Health Care Quality Corp will share findings from an evaluation of the first phase of the pilot. This webinar is recommended for executives of hospitals, health systems, physician practices and other healthcare organizations; regional health care collaborative staff and board members; regulators and healthcare policy analysts; state public health officials; Medicaid directors and staff; and executives of managed care plans and other payers. Pre-registration is required for this free webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.
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| Independent Living Research Utilization |
Webinar: Peer Support: A Proven Volunteer Model
CIL-NET, a project of Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) in collaboration with the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL), is hosting a teleconference and webinar on the peer support volunteer model. Ability360 Experts Amina Donna Kruck, Vice President, Advocacy Program and April Reed, Volunteer Program Manager will teach attendees about the peer support model and identify the benefits that organizations are seeing after using this model. This webinar is recommended for CIL executive directors, program managers, independent living specialists, and other staff members of CILs who are involved in coordinating or providing peer support. Registration is required and includes a fee of $75 per connection. The webinar will take place on Thursday, December 10, 2015, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
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| National Council on Aging |
Diabetes Self-Management Training Resources Available
November is American Diabetes Awareness Month. The National Council on Aging's Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Resource Center created several resources to teach people with diabetes about Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT). DSMT is a Medicare benefit that teaches people with diabetes different ways to manage their condition. On the resource page there are frequently asked questions, webinars, tip sheets, sample processes and agreements, planning and administrative resources, toolkits, participant forms, and videos for doctors and patients.
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Long-Term Services and Supports Policy Modeling Results Published
The SCAN Foundation, in collaboration with AARP and LeadingAge, funded economic and actuarial long-term services and supports (LTSS) policy modeling, which was completed by the Urban Institute and Milliman, Inc. The results found that America is able to address the impending long-term care financing crisis. Several reports were written by different financing organizations to analyze the results of the modeling, the state of long-term care, and possible solutions for the future. Various resources are available at the link below, including a video about the impact of high costs for the consumers and caregivers, an open access article in Health Affairs, the detailed reports, and a summary of the policy modeling work.
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Case Management Society of America's Annual Conference & Expo
The Case Management Society of America is hosting their Annual Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California this June. This event is targeted for case workers, new and old, to come together to collaborate with peers, develop new skills, and learn innovative techniques and practices. Dr. Eric Coleman, MD, MPH; Dr. Josh Luke, Fache; Valorie Burton; and Robert Priest will be the keynote speakers for the conference. Continuing education credits are available for certain sessions, price varies depending on the credit. Registration is currently open with an early bird price. This event will take place from
Tuesday, June 21, 2016, to Thursday, June 23, 2016.
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National Center for Independent Living Seeks Senior Director of Policy
The American Health Care Association's National Center for Independent Living is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Director of Policy. The Senior Director is responsible for working with Association members and other staff in setting and promoting industry policies consistent with NCAL's policy objectives and acting as a leading representative of NCAL's positions and policies before the U.S. Congress, the executive branch, regulatory bodies, other organizations, and health care coalitions. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a related field and public policy experience. A Master's degree, significant long-term care expertise, and Hill or regulatory agency experience is preferred. This position will remain open until it is filled.
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