Long-Term Care

The Center for Health Care Strategies works with states, health plans and federal policymakers to spearhead innovative approaches for integrating Medicare and Medicaid services. They have developed an online toolkit which includes policy-related materials, program design, financing, performance measurement and consumer engagement using hands-on tools to help guide state efforts, and sample documents from states that have successfully implemented integrated approaches. A TA brief is attached.

What are the policy changes related to the continuum of care for older people—specifically long term services and supports (LTSS) and chronic care coordination? This analysis examines major provisions in these areas which are organized into five categories: 1) national insurance for long term services and supports; 2) Medicaid options and incentives to expand LTSS; 3) other LTSS provisions; 4) chronic care coordination; and 5) nursing home reforms.

Looking for information on the CLASS Act? This report compares provisions in both the House and Senate health care reform legislation, identifies key differences between the two bills, and discusses federal budget implications as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the CMS. It also discusses cost and financing for long-term care services and the current market for private LTC insurance.

Reducing In Home Support Services (IHSS) in California will be costly for taxpayers according to this report, which summarizes and refutes the conclusions of an earlier CA Legislative Analyst’s Office report. It presents what it sees as a more realistic set of assumptions and re-estimates the relative benefits of the IHSS program, considering the savings to the state if it transitioned one third of nursing home residents back into the community.

What are the key provisions in the 2010 comprehensive health reform? Read a summary of the new law, including the CLASS Act, and changes make to the law by subsequent legislation. The document focuses on changes in coverage, control of health care costs, and improvement of the health care delivery system. Also included is a timeline providing implementation dates.

These forms were developed for the Personal Preference program which began as part of a national research and demonstration project whose goal was to find new ways for individuals to receive Medicaid Personal Care Assistance (PCA) services. This form was used to assess the participant’s level of functioning and potential risk reduction factors. Scaling includes questions about living arrangements, medications, communication and mobility.

Looking for journal articles relating to client’s rights, and ethical and legal issues involved in consumer-directed models? Read three seminal academic articles written by prominent professionals in the field.

Increasing integrated employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with disabilities in Wisconsin’s managed long-term care system is the topic of this grantee presentation. It discusses two major systems change initiatives, i.e., the statewide expansion of the “Family Care” managed long-term care program and the “Pathways to Independence” Medicaid Infrastructure Grant initiative.

Review summary findings from evaluations of ADRCs done by entities external to the ADRCs and/or for purposes beyond routine semi-annual reporting (SART). Studies are arranged by topics covering a range of activities including access to services, outreach and marketing, consumer satisfaction and cost effectiveness.

Review materials generated by the Central Texas ADRC providing information about the program, and many state-specific forms and documentation. Also included is a detailed Guidebook for participants in their Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services program. These materials (guidebook, sample budgets, emergencies, employment forms, job descriptions and trainings) can be used as templates for other states involved in similar initiatives.