COVID-19

The 26th annual Workers’ Compensation Report produced by the National Academy of Social Insurance provides the only comprehensive data on workers’ compensation benefits, coverage, and employer costs for the nation, the states, the District of Columbia, and federal programs. With a five-year study period spanning 2017-2021, this is the second annual report to cover the COVID-19 pandemic period, which permits an early understanding of the adaptation of workers’ compensation to the pandemic and general reversions to pre-pandemic trends. The report includes tables, figures, and appendices detailing outcomes related to workers’ compensation benefits, costs, and coverage.

A recent analysis by KFF found that despite over one-fifth of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths occurring in long-term care facilities, as of January 14, 2024, only 38% of residents and 15% of staff were “up-to-date” with their COVID-19 vaccines, which the CDC defines as having received the updated Fall 2023 vaccine. Reasons for the decline in vaccine uptake vary, including fewer federal initiatives aimed at increasing vaccinations, the end of vaccine mandates for healthcare workers, and declining concerns about COVID-19 risks.

On Monday, February 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an updated State Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program Vaccine Toolkit. This updated toolkit serves as a consolidated and comprehensive compilation of vaccination policies, including related flexibilities and coverage and payment requirements, for states to consider as they transition away from the COVID-19 public health emergency and implement Inflation Reduction Act coverage requirements. It also includes additional considerations states may make to enhance vaccination coverage and access, including provider qualifications, immunization registries, and payment considerations.

On February 14, The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) announced the release of its latest research brief on Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Elder Maltreatment. This brief explores the profound impact of social isolation and loneliness on the well-being of older adults, emphasizing their significant role as both risk factors and consequences of elder maltreatment....

CMS added a new telehealth indicator on clinician profile pages on Medicare Care Compare and in the Provider Data Catalog (PDC). The new indicator helps beneficiaries and caregivers find clinicians who provide telehealth services. This is especially helpful for patients seeking telehealth due to the ongoing public health emergency,

This new KFF brief finds that only 45% of all nursing facility residents and 22% of staff are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. That is a sharp drop from the 87 percent of nursing facility residents and staff who completed their primary vaccination series. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently defines having up to date vaccines as “having received a bivalent booster or having received a final shot of the original vaccines less than two months ago.” The share of residents who are up to date ranged from 73 percent in South Dakota to 24 percent in Arizona. Among nursing home staff, the share ranged from 48 percent in California to 10 percent in Alabama.

This new KFF brief finds that only 45% of all nursing facility residents and 22% of staff are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. That is a sharp drop from the 87 percent of nursing facility residents and staff who completed their primary vaccination series. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently defines having up to date vaccines as “having received a bivalent booster or having received a final shot of the original vaccines less than two months ago.” The share of residents who are up to date ranged from 73 percent in South Dakota to 24 percent in Arizona. Among nursing home staff, the share ranged from 48 percent in California to 10 percent in Alabama.

This report is based on 2021 data from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS), which is a voluntary data reporting system that collects information from state adult protective services systems throughout all states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The 2021 report features a unique chapter on the potential impacts of COVID-19.

A new Policy Spotlight from the Aging and Disability Business Institute and the National Council on Aging provides an overview of how telehealth has changed as a result of the pandemic. The Policy Spotlight outlines the current challenges related to access to telehealth, identifies opportunities for the Aging Network and discusses legislative actions for expanding telehealth.

The brief from the KKF shares state-level data on HCBS spending and the number of people receiving Medicaid in FY 2020. The data were collected in KFF’s 19th survey of state officials administering Medicaid HCBS programs in all 50 states and DC.