Submit a Proposal for the National HCBS Conference: Only 4 Days Left!
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is pleased to announce the Call for Sessions for the 2016 National Home and Community Based Services Conference, August 29-September 1, 2016 in Washington D.C. This conference offers a unique blend of policy, program, and practice issues for professionals interested in home and community-based services for individuals of all abilities and in all settings. Proposals are currently being accepted for one hour and fifteen minute workshops.
Submissions are expected to be descriptive and engaging. Consider bringing a panel of partners across agencies or states. Consider exciting and engaging ways of presenting your materials. The Call for Sessions for the 2016 HCBS Conference will end Monday, February 29th.
Click here to learn more and submit your session today.
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Register Today for the Iowa Conference on Aging & Disabilities and Save $50!
NASUAD is proud to be sponsoring a National Aging and Disabilities conference in Des Moines, Iowa, May 23-May 26. Building on our popular HCBS conference in the fall, NASUAD is bringing a mini-HCBS conference to the mid-west.
Use code LEAPYEAR by Monday, February 29th for a $50 discount!
The jammed packed agenda begins Monday morning with three separate day-long intensives. You can choose to:
- Be educated about employment opportunities for seniors and individuals with disabilities;
- Become informed about efforts to combat elder abuse;
- Learn about the creative efforts to improve oral health for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
You will be enlightened, inspired, and educated by our plenary thought leaders including:
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- Lt. Governor Kimberly Reynold
- Mike Nardone, CMS Director of the Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group (DEHPG)
- Terry Rich, author of "Dare to Dream: Dare to Act"
- Dr. Paul Glassman, visionary leader in teledenistry for underserved populations
State aging and disability directors and their staff, State long term service and supports Medicaid directors and their teams, local aging providers, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, academics, health care providers, meal providers, and all those who work to serve seniors and individuals with disabilities and their caregivers will all want to be at this national event. You don't want to miss it!
LEAPYEAR by Monday, February 29th for a $50 discount!
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HCBS Clearinghouse E-Clips
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On Pins and Needles: Caregivers of Adults with Mental Illness
The National Alliance for Caregiving, in collaboration with Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness, released a report surrounding the topic of caregivers of adults with mental illness. "At least 8.4 million Americans are providing care to an adult with an emotional or mental health issue, and nearly three quarters report that caregiving causes high emotional stress." This report examines the inadequacies the families of individuals with mental illness face in the U.S. health care system, common challenges facing these caregivers, and issues regarding treatment.
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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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| Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
Medicare Fee-for-Service Provider & Supplier Lists
In an effort to offer more transparency and data sharing, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published two public data sets regarding ambulance and home health agency utilization information and public provider and supplier enrollment data of those currently approved to bill Medicare. The provider and supplier moratoria extension, authorized by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), allowed for the posting of ambulance and home health utilization data. The Moratoria Provider Service and Utiliazation Data Tool "was created using ground ambulance and home health agency paid claims data that reside in CMS systems for Medicare FFS beneficiaries." The data in the tool was collected from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2015.
Click here to view ambulance/home health data set.
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Methodology for Determining Federal Funding of the Basic Health Program
On Thursday, February 25, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final notice of the methodology for determining federal funding of the Basic Health Program (BHP) for program years 2017 and 2018. BHP is authorized under the Affordable Care Act to offer health benefit coverage to low-income individuals who do not want the Health Insurance Marketplace coverage. The document will be published on Monday, February 29, 2016. A pre-publication PDF is available until then.
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| National Center for Health Statistics |
Report: Long-Term Care Providers and Services Users in the United States
The National Center for Health Statistics' Long-Term Care Statistics Branch released a report on long-term care providers and services users in the United States. This report presents the most current descriptive national information on the supply, organizational characteristics, staffing, and services offered by paid, regulated providers of long-term care services in five sectors; and the demographic, health, and functional composition of users of these services. Services users include residents of nursing homes and residential care communities, patients of home health agencies and hospices, and participants of adult day services centers. The 2013-2014 report updates and includes additional topics not in "Long-Term Care Services in the United States: 2013 Overview", which covered data years 2011-2012. PowerPoint Presentation slides of figures from the 2013-2014 report are available for download.
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Report: Variation in Residential Care Community Staffing Levels
The National Center for Health Statistics' Long-Term Care Statistics Branch released a report on variation in residential care community nurse and aide staffing levels in the United States. This report presents national and state estimates of staffing levels in residential care communities for registered nurses, licensed practical or vocational nurses, and aides in the United States for 2014. The report examined the following characteristics of residential care communities, aides, and nurses: Number of beds, ownership status, geographic locale, assistance, with any activities of daily living, diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other dementias, and assistance with medications.
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| Office of Disability Employment Policy |
ODEP Launches a New State Policy Internet Page
The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment (ODEP) launched a new web page that houses all links related to State Policy. One of the goals of the new web page is to influence state-level policy that affects the employment of people with disabilities. Several programs are highlighted on the page including: Employment First, the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED), and States as Model Employers.
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| Health Management Associates |
Webinar: Transgender Transitioning: Implications of New Health Insurance Coverage Guidelines
Health Management Associates is hosting a webinar on the implications of new health insurance coverage guidelines and research findings on the experiences of transgender individuals in the health care system. New proposed federal regulations require health plans to cover all medically necessary care for transgender individuals, including transition-related services. But it is more than just covering care. It is also about ensuring access to appropriate services, training staff to understand the needs of transgender populations, and recognizing the social and financial implications of delaying transition-related care. HMA experts, Marci Eads, Managing Principal; and John O'Connor, Prinicpal, will outline what health plans need to know about the needs of transgender individuals and about how to not only comply with the new guidelines, but also to ensure transgender individuals receive the care they need. 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. This webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET.
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| Long-Term Care Financing Collaborative |
Long-term Care Financing Collaborative Releases Final Report
On Monday, February 22nd, the Long-term Care Financing Collaborative released their final report outlining their proposals for reforming the current LTC system. The Collaborative is a group of experts in financing as well as delivery of long-term services and supports, and includes individuals from a wide range of organizations such as those that provide consumer advocacy, research, policy, financing, and service delivery. Membership also includes former members of Republican and Democratic administrations. The final report builds upon prior work and publications, and includes the following five recommendations:
- Creation of a universal program for all individuals that would cover catastrophic care for individuals with high needs over an extended timeframe;
- Developing public policies in cooperation with the private insurance market to help support financing for individuals with LTSS needs that do not meet the level required for the catastrophic care benefit, including innovations with leveraging retirement savings and home equity;
- Enhancing Medicaid LTSS services, and increasing flexibility to provide greater access to care in the most appropriate setting for each individual;
- Increasing supports for family and community supports, that may include unpaid caregivers, as well increasing integration between medical interventions and long-term services and supports.
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Event & Webinar: Harnessing Evidence to Redesign Primary Care
The Mathematica Center on Health Care Effectiveness and the Milbank Memorial Fund are hosting a policy forum and live webinar on harnessing evidence to redesign primary care. Practical strategies from the new report for improving the strength of evidence from ongoing evaluations will be presented by expert panelists. Additionally, experts who offer the perspectives of providers and state and federal governments will identify the kind of evidence needed to understand the implications of primary care transformation. Pre-registration is required for this free event. If you need assistance before the forum, please contact Mathematica at CHCE@mathematica-mpr.com. They will make every effort to accommodate your participation in this event. Please email any requests for special accommodations by Tuesday, March 22, 2016. The event will take place on Thursday, March 24, 2016, at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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National Committee for Quality Assurance
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NCQA Releases New Proposed Standards for LTSS Providers
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has published new proposed standards for entities providing long-term services and supports (LTSS) to their enrollees, as well care management organizations which serve individuals receiving LTSS. NASUAD was pleased to take part in the drafting and review process for these revised and new standards. The proposed LTSS updates apply to both health plan and behavioral health organization standards, which will be effective in 2017. New standards are being proposed for a new type of accreditation for case management entities delivering case management to individuals receiving LTSS (CM-LTSS). Those standards would be effective upon release in July 2016. All the standards are open for public comment until Wednesday, March 23, 2016, and can be accessed here (link).
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| National Council on Aging |
Webinar: Falls Prevention for Adults Aging with Disabilities
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is hosting a webinar on falls prevention for adults aging with disabilities. Experts in neurology and rehabilitation will present up-to-date research about falls among adults aging with long-term physical disabilities. Prevention and management strategies for the growing population of people with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy will be the focus. Program examples from the aging and disability communities will be highlighted. Ivan R. Molton, PhD, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Michelle H. Cameron, MD, PT, MCR, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, MS Center of Excellence-West, VA Portland Health Care System; and John T. Kingston, MA COMS, Supervisor of Orientation & Mobility and Comprehensive Neurological Vision Rehabilitation, Department of Veterans' Affairs, Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, will be the presenters for this webinar. The event will take place on Thursday, March 3, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
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Webinar: NCOA 2016 Advocacy Tips and Tools
The National Council on Aging's (NCOA) Public Policy and Advocacy team is hosting a webinar on optimizing advocacy for services and benefits for older adults in 2016. This webinar will provide key messages and crucial tools to help you effectively advocate for seniors at home throughout the year. Presenters Howard Bedlin, Vice President, Public Policy & Advocacy; and Marci Phillips, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy will share successful tips and tools for advocacy. Pre-registration is required for this free webinar. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 2, 2016, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET.
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Ability Summit Career Fair
Microsoft is hosting an Ability Summit Career Fair for candidates with disabilities. Hiring decision-makers from some of the areas top employers in the area will be present. During the career fair, the Disability Rights Museum on Wheels will be at Building 33 in the Upper Parking Lot from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM and the Xbox Accessible Arcade will be open from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Building 33 in Baker. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Microsoft building in Redmond, Washington.
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Nebraska State Unit on Aging Seeks AmeriCorps VISTA Members
The Nebraska State Unit on Aging is seeking qualified applicants for the position of AmeriCorps VISTA. The VISTA is responsible for collecting data, creating volunteer databases/spreadsheets with aging-related data, developing training manuals and materials, creating a standardized Senior Center Operational manual template, and developing means to increase services, funding, and volunteer opportunities across Nebraska. This is an opportunity to make an IMPACT in the lives of aging populations in Nebraska! As a VISTA, connect with services that allow seniors to stay in their own homes and change the lives of minority and impoverished individuals.Qualified applicants should be outgoing, self-motivated individuals interested in laying the ground work for improving nutrition, volunteer, and support services across the state of Nebraska.
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Inclusive Planning Impact Grant
The Transit Planning for All project has announced the availability of funding for community-cased demonstration programs. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to encourage development of an inclusive coordinated transportation system in which people with disabilities and older adults actively participate in both advisory and decision-making capacities. While the intention is first and foremost the development of inclusionary processes and plans, the secondary expectation is that inclusion will result in identifiable and measurable changes in the transportation system that respond to the needs and preferences of older adults and people with disabilities.
To take advantage of this funding opportunity, communities should download both the request for proposals and the grant application form. All requirements stated in the application form must be met in order for an application to be considered. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Friday, March 18, 2016.
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CMS Accountable Health Communities Grant
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation released a request for proposal (RFP) for an Affordable Care Act (ACA) funding opportunity for Accountable Health Communities (AHC), funding opportunity number CMS-1P1-17-001. The AHC model will test three community-focused interventions of varying intensity and their ability to impact total health care costs and inpatient and outpatient health care utilization. There are different tracks-Increase Awareness, Provide Assistance, and Align Partners-with varying funding amounts available. Each track will run for a five year period. A letter of intent to apply is required and due by Monday, February 8, 2016. An electronic cooperative agreement application is due by 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 31, 2016.
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Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Programs Financed Solely by 2016 Prevention and Health Funds
The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funds to make two-year grants to approximately 8 entities to bring to scale and sustain evidence-based falls prevention programs that will reduce the number of falls, fear of falling, and fall-related injuries in older adults and older adults with disabilities. Goal 1: Significantly increase the number of older adults and older adults with disabilities at risk of falls who participate in evidence-based community programs to reduce falls and falls risks; and Goal 2: Implement innovative funding arrangements (e.g. contracts with integrated health care systems) to support community-based falls prevention programs beyond the grant period, while embedding the programs into an integrated, sustainable evidence-based prevention program network.
Eligible organizations are as following: State governments,
Small businesses, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Individuals, City or township governments,
County governments, Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education,
Private institutions of higher education, Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility". For profit organizations other than small businesses, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, and Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments). All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
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Empowering Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities through Chronic Disease Self-Management Education Programs
The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) forecasts the possible availability of Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 funds to make two-year grants to approximately 8 entities to bring to scale and sustain evidence-based programs that empower older adults and adults with disabilities to better manage their chronic conditions. Goal 1: Significantly increase the number of older adults and adults with disabilities who participate in evidence-based self-management programs to empower them to better manage their chronic conditions; and Goal 2: Implement innovative funding arrangements (e.g. contracts with integrated health care systems) to support the CDSME programs beyond the grant period, while embedding the programs into an integrated, sustainable evidence-based prevention program network.
Eligible organizations are as following: Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility," Independent school districts, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), for profit organizations other than small businesses, private institutions of higher education, nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, special district governments, city or township governments, state governments, county governments, public and State controlled institutions of higher education, small businesses, and Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized). All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
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Supportive Services Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced it is making approximately $15 million available to test a promising housing and services model for low-income seniors to age in their own homes and delay or avoid the need for nursing home care.
HUD's Supportive Services Demonstration for Elderly Households in HUD-Assisted Multifamily Housing will offer three-year grants to eligible owners of HUD-assisted senior housing developments to cover the cost of a full-time Enhanced Service Coordinator and a part-time Wellness Nurse. The purpose of the Demonstration is to test the effectiveness of this enhanced supportive services model for elderly households and to evaluate the value of enhanced service coordination paired with affordable housing for seniors. The demonstration will be independently evaluated to determine the impact of the enhanced supportive services model on: Aging in place in HUD-assisted senior developments; avoiding early transitions to institutional care, and; preventing unnecessary and often costly health care events-such as some emergency room visits and hospitalizations-for residents in HUD-assisted senior developments. Grant applications must be submitted electronically by Monday, April 18, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
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