AIRS Annual Information & Referral Conference Call for Proposals
The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) has released the call for proposals for the 2016 Annual Information and Referral (I&R) Training and Education Conference. AIRS is seeking workshops addressing the breadth of I&R service delivery. The Aging and Disability track provides a valuable opportunity to share developments and effective practices in serving older adults and persons with disabilities with I&R colleagues across the country. This track is coordinated by NASUAD's I&R Support Center, which strongly encourages aging and disability I&R agencies to review the call for proposals and consider a submission.
The conference is being held in St. Louis, Missouri, with pre-conference intensives on May 22, 2016 and the regular conference May 23-25, 2016. Please contact Nanette Relave with any questions.
Click here to submit a proposal.
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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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Lifelong Disparities Among Older
American Indians and Alaska Natives
The AARP Public Policy Institute and the International Association for Indigenous Aging released a report on the lifelong disparities that exist among older American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) populations when compared to the general United States population of older adults. The report includes a definition of who falls into the category of American Indian, identifies where these populations live in the U.S., and compares AI/ANs generally with the rest of the population of older adults and also specifically compares health coverage.
Click here to access the report and findings.
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Dementia Care Coordination Workforce & Practices Report
The University of California San Francisco published a report about dementia care coordination for duals populations with a specific look at the inadequate workforce of dementia-capable care coordinators. Effective care coordination is shown to improve the quality of life for patients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Currently, there are twelve states in the process of implementing demonstrations projects. This report examined three-way contracts from seven states that were selected for their expertise in care coordination.
Click here to access the report and findings.
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Medicaid & CHIP: September 2015 Monthly Enrollment Report
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their monthly report for September 2015 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility, and enrollment data. States provides data to CMS on factors related to key application, eligibility and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly. Data collection for this project began in October 2013. A key highlight showed that enrollment reached almost 71.6 million people for Medicaid and CHIP in September 2015.
Click here to access the report and findings.
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| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
Final Rule for Extension of 90/10 Federal Funding Released
On December 3, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a final rule on the Extension of 90/10 Federal Funding for Medicaid Eligibility Systems. This rule helps CMS to advance their goal of supporting states in the modernizing state eligibility systems. All of the changes will help states to improve customer service and develop better Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and delivery systems through various initiatives. Additionally, new definitions for "Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS)," "open source," "proprietary," "service," "shared services," "Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)," and module" are included in the final rule. The final rule has been published in the Federal Register.
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National Health Expenditures from 2014
On December 2, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's Office of the Actuary published the 2014 National Health Expenditures. A major finding from the report shows that the increase in spending resulted from the millions of new individuals receiving health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act and the growing costs of prescription drugs. Additionally, the report includes data on the total private health insurance expenditures, medicare spending, medicaid spending, out-of-pocket spending, and retail prescription drug spending.
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Supplemental Security Income & Spousal Impoverishment Standards Bulletin
On November 20, 2015, the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services (CMCS) released an informational bulletin on the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Spousal Impoverishment Standards for 2016. Each January the Medicaid income and resource standards change based on the SSI federal benefit rate (FBR) and the Consumer Price Index (CPI). A chart with the new standards is included within the bulletin. Because there was no change in the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers and the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, many of the standards will remain the same as they were in 2015.
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Proposed Annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017
On November 20, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed Annual Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2017. The rule proposes payment payment parameters and provisions related to the
risk adjustment, reinsurance, and risk corridors programs; cost sharing parameters and costsharing reductions; and user fees for Federally-facilitated Exchanges. CMS's goal is to enhance the consumer experience during open enrollment and throughout the year. The proposed rule has been published in the Federal Register with a comment period. All comments must be submitted by Monday, December 21, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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Support the "Medicare Open Enrollment" Thunderclap
Please join the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in reminding people with Medicare, family members, caregivers and others about Open Enrollment, ending on December 7th, by supporting the "Medicare Open Enrollment" Thunderclap. A "Thunderclap" is a social media push releasing a flood of tweets and status updates at a predetermined time. By agreeing to support CMS with one (or all) of your social media channels, Thunderclap will post a one-time message to your account at 1:00 p.m. ET on December 2, 2015.
When you log into Thunderclap using your Twitter, Facebook, or Tumblr account, you're allowing the Thunderclap platform to share a single message. That's all. Thunderclap uses the absolute minimum permissions possible to post a message on your behalf. It's secure and covered by Thunderclap's Federal Terms of Use!
Click here to participate in the thunderclap.
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International Day of Persons with Disabilities
President Barack Obama proclaimed Thursday, December 3, 2015, as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Recognition of this day began in 1992 when the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it to raise awareness about disability issues. The theme this year is "Inclusion Matters: Access and Empowerment for People of All Abilities." Everyone can help to eliminate the damaging stigma that prevents people with disabilities from being able to thrive.
We look to the past to see the improvements that can be made to increase equality for people with disabilities in the future.
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House to Home Challenge
Autism Speaks is inviting people from around the world, from any background to submit innovative, breakthrough ideas in the following three home and residential support solutions: For individuals who require 24/7 support; for individuals who require daily support; and for individuals who require weekly support.The best solution in each of these categories will receive a $50,000 USD prize. The total prize purse is $150,000 USD. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
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| Health Management Associates |
Webinar: Implications of New Transgender Transitioning Coverage
Health Management Associates is hosting a webinar on the implications of the new health insurance coverage guidelines regarding transgender transitioning. HMA Community Strategies experts Marci Eads, Managing Principal; and John O'Connor, Principal, will teach attendees about the implications of the new proposed federal guidelines that require coverage of transition-related services for transgender individuals and explain data from the national survey of transgender that examined the implication of not having access to transition-related care. Additionally, attendees will learn about the barriers that prevent transgender individuals from receiving quality care and about resources that are available to teach staff about cultural competence. This webinar is recommended for executives of health plans; Medicaid directors and staff; state and federal regulators and healthcare policy analysts; advocates; and executives of public hospitals, health systems, and safety net providers. Pre-registration is required for this free webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, December 16, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
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Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
The Institute on Disability and UCED at the University of New Hampshire are hosting an event where they will release the Annual Compendium of Disability Statistics & Report on Disability. A live webcast of the event will be available for individuals unable to attend the event in person. The Compendium is a web-based tool that pools disability statistics published by various federal agencies together in one place. A briefing and overview of the newest Compendium will start off the event followed by a data panel discussion and several sessions from different esteemed speakers. The compendium will take place on Thursday, February 4, 2015, at the Washington Center, Blinken Auditorium in Washington D.C.
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Webinar: State Strategies for Meeting Residents' Health Care Needs
Justice in Aging is hosting a webinar on the state strategies for meeting residents' health care needs. Older adults that need significant amounts of care are moving into assisted living facilities to receive extra help. This webinar will teach attendees about the actions that states and assisted living facilities are taking to meet the health care needs of their residents. Additionally, the presenters will delve into the roles of nurses, hospice agencies, medication assistants, and other unlicensed staff members. Justice in Aging experts Eric Carlson and Fay Gordon will be presenting on these issues.
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Issue Brief on the Variation in Medicare Part D Out-of-Pocket Costs
The Kaiser Family Foundation released an issue brief that analyzes the cost of Medicare Part D drug plans, specifically out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries. A major finding from the brief showed that Medicare Part D enrollees may pay thousands of dollars of out-of-pocket costs if they require a specialty drug, even after exceeding the catastrophic coverage threshold. This study's findings emphasize how important it is for beneficiaries to diligently shop for new plans each year during Medicare Open Enrollment.
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| National Council on Aging |
Tip Sheet on Medicare's Coverage of Advanced Planning
The National Council on Aging's Center for Benefits Access published a tip sheet that provides a thorough explanation of advance care planning. Medicare Part B will cover advance care planning starting January 1, 2016. Included in the tip sheet are the differences between advance care planning and advance care directive and hospice care; explanation of the Medicare coverage; and information about the costs associated with using the benefit.
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National Convening of Workforce Leadership
The Innovation & Opportunity Network is hosting the National Convening of Workforce Leadership this January in Washington, D.C. At this convening you can connect with other national, state, and local leaders to transform America's workforce system. States will be invited to form teams with leaders representing partners and key stakeholders implementing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Session highlights include: Implementing the Vision of WIOA; Insights from Workforce & Federal Leaders; Strategic Planning for State Teams; Peer-to-Peer WIOA Discussions; Leadership Workshops on Innovation; and Facilitated Peer Networking.. This event will take place from
Tuesday, January 216, 2016, to Thursday, June 28, 2016.
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Justice in Aging Seeks Directing Attorney for Economic Security Team
Justice in Aging is seeking applicants for the position of Directing Attorney of their Economic Security Team. The Directing Attorney is responsible for assisting in the prioritization and advancement of Justice in Aging's economic security advocacy agenda in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Qualified applicants will have a minimum of a J.D., seven years of relevant legal experience, effective speaking, presentation, and writing skills, capacity to manage multiple projects and people simultaneously, and experience partnering with organizations servicing diverse populations. Experience in economic security policy, with other public benefits programs, class action and/or impact litigation, and direct work with government agency leadership, funders, and boards of directors is preferred. All applications must be submitted by Thursday, December 31, 2015.
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Student Mental Health Services & Supports in Higher Education Grant
The National Council on Disability is seeking proposals for a report which examines student mental health services in institutions of higher education. The findings in this report will primarily serve to assist policymakers, including the White House and Congress, and institutions of higher education with insight needed to make policy decisions designed to improve outcomes for students with mental health disabilities. The report will also provide students with mental health disabilities and those who support them, with an understanding of policy, legislation, and initiatives that impact their lives. The maximum amount available for this project is $115,000. All potential applicants are eligible to apply. All applications must be submitted by Friday, January 15, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
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