Public Health

The NIDILRR-funded Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Promoting Healthy Aging for People with Long-Term Physical Disabilities recently published a health policy brief on state responses to the social isolation and loneliness faced by adults with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this blog post, ACAP and CHCS share survey results that detail how Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), including Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) and Medicare-Medicaid Plans, are addressing existing and new health-related social needs of their dually eligible enrollees during the COVID-19.

The Biden Administration sent a letter to the nation's Governors renewing the Public Health Emergency (PHE) regarding COVID-19, declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act. The current public health emergency was renewed effective January 21, 2021, and will be in effect for 90 days. The announcement indicates that the PHE will likely remain in place for the entirety of 2021 and also commits to providing at least a 60 day notice before the end of the PHE.

This brief summarizes the available data and literature on the cross-national impact of COVID-19 in LTC settings as of October 2020 and the changes in reported death rates since June 2020. This brief was prepared through intramural research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Office of Behavioral Health, Disability, and Aging Policy.

When COVID-19 appeared in early 2020, human services agencies across the country had to adapt overnight. The Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Aging Services created new partnerships with restaurants, placed emergency funds into use quickly, streamlined decision-making and more to meet the needs of seniors.

This issue brief from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) examines the rate of opioid prescribing and its association with the development of opioid use disorder (OUD) among women covered under Medicaid and private health insurance after childbirth.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that propels innovative technology so Medicare beneficiaries have access to the latest, most advanced devices. This action represents a step forward that will help smooth the Medicare coverage pathway for innovative products, resulting in faster access to new devices for America’s seniors.

This report offers initial results and findings from COVID-19 CheckUp, a service provided by BellAge, Inc. to help governments capture actionable data regarding the pandemic in near real-time. The service is currently in use by the governments of New York, Florida, Michigan, Los Angeles, and St. Louis. The first issue of the Bulletin focuses on COVID-19 risk related findings from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services CV19 CheckUp launch.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is ready to provide you with the information you need to PROTECT yourself from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. Your SMP can help you with your questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

The National Guardianship Association, along with the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging and the National Center for State Courts have developed an FAQ for guardians about consent for the COVID-19 vaccine for residents of long-term care facilities.