Network

On Friday, January 26, CMS held a question and answer session for states related to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) implementation with a focus on state issues and concerns. Applied Self Direction will hold a follow-up webinar to share information from the January 26 CMS call and offer some perspective on next steps for states, MCOs, Medicaid providers, and other stakeholders. This webinar is open to the public. There is no cost to attend, but attendance is limited to the first 500 registrants. 

The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center is hosting a webinar on The Memory Ensemble™, an eight-week improvisational theater intervention program for people with early stage dementia. This is a seven-year partnership between the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’ Disease Center, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine and the Lookingglass Theatre Company.

Kaiser Health News is hosting an event on living well with dementia. This event will take place on Tuesday, February 13 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. ET at the Barbara Jordan Conference Center in the Kaiser Family Foundation offices at 1330 G Street NW, Washington, DC. This will be a discussion about improving care and services for people with dementia and supporting their caregivers. It’s an opportunity to learn from experts in the field about the challenges and difficulties facing the patient, the caregiver, the community and policymakers.

The Center for Health Care Strategies is hosting a webinar to explore early efforts to address social determinants of health (SDOH) through Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) programs. Eleven states have launched Medicaid ACO programs, and at least 11 more are pursuing their own models. Some of these states are beginning to use their ACO programs to address SDOH, such as living environment and access to healthy food, that ultimately affect health outcomes.

The deadline to register for ASA's Aging in America Conference at the early rate is January 31, 2018! The conference, taking place March 26-29 in San Francisco, is recognized for its 360-degree view of the issues, challenges and opportunities in aging. Register now to join this conference community of nearly 3,000 multidisciplinary professionals who are working to improve the lives of older adults. Save $50 when you use discount code NASUAD50. 

Dental benefits have been fully restored to adult Medi-Cal recipients as of January 1, 2018. This means that older adults will again have access to gum treatment, root canals on back teeth, and partial dentures in California. Justice in Aging is hosting this webinar to provide an overview of the restoration of benefits and Denti-Cal coverage more broadly. The presenter will also cover other dental coverage options available to older adults, how different coverage options work together, and barriers older adults face in accessing dental care.

The National Center on Law and Elder Rights (NCLER) is hosting a webinar to discuss how an increasing number of older consumers are struggling with unmanageable debt as Americans carry more credit card, student loan, and other debts into retirement than in past decades. Older adults are often aggressively pursued by debt collectors to repay debt from fixed incomes. This webinar will outline the issues facing older consumers and offers strategies to help address the challenges.

The National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Center for Benefits Access is hosting a webinar on how benefits counselors can assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries when their applications are rejected, or a client receives a lesser/partial benefit than expected. This webinar will walk through the application process, the basics of eligibility, and challenging a determination.

Applied Self Direction is excited to share news from CMS on the Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) portion of the Cures Act. They will hold a webinar on Thursday, January 18, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET to share what they know so far. This webinar is open to the public. You do not need to register for the webinar and there is no cost to attend, but attendance is limited to the first 500 participants. 

The AARP Public Policy Institute is hosting a solutions forum on social isolation. New research from the AARP Public Policy Institute finds that a lack of social contacts among older adults is associated with an estimated $6.7 billion in additional Medicare spending annually. Social isolation is a determinant of health, and has been shown to lead to poorer health outcomes and even premature death.