Aging/Older Adults

On June 26th, CMS issued a proposed rule that proposes to update payment rates and policies and includes requests for information under the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) Prospective Payment System (PPS) for renal dialysis services furnished to Medicare beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2024. For calendar year 2024, CMS is proposing to increase the ESRD PPS base rate to $269.99, increasing total payments to ESRD facilities by approximately 1.6 percent totaling $6.4 billion. The CY 2024 ESRD PPS proposed rule also includes several proposals and requests for information related to ESRD PPS payment policies. This rule also proposes an update to the Acute Kidney Injury dialysis payment rate for renal dialysis services furnished by ESRD...

"Indicators of Healthy Aging: A Guide to Explore Healthy Aging Data through Community Health Improvement" is a resource developed by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) with funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation. This resource aims to support age-friendly public health systems by providing a comprehensive set of healthy aging indicators. The guide complements NACCHO's Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) framework, offering valuable insights for health departments and community partners in measuring population-level health disparities and informing strategic planning...

The Aging and Disability Business Institute, in collaboration with the Partnership to Align Social Care and the Camden Coalition, has released a new resource guide that emphasizes the importance of addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) and details the benefits of partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) and community care networks for health plans. This comprehensive guide outlines how CBOs serve as powerful innovation partners, foster trust with members, offer a significant return on investment, provide greater efficiency in coverage through community care networks, and contribute to securing public contracts. This resource serves as a practical tool for health plans looking to establish meaningful collaborations with..

Millions of older adults in the United States classify as sexual and gender minority (SGM). The Aging with Pride initiative is a National Health, Aging, and Sexuality/Gender Study which is funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), involving more than 2,400 older adults ranging in age from 50 to more than 100 years old. SGM adults experience prejudice, bias, or discrimination which can be a significant source of stress. These negative life exposures can also affect aging and health and contribute to health disparities in SGM adults. Ultimately, the goal of this Aging in Pride study is to better understand the health, aging, and well-being of SGM adults in midlife and older age.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is inviting input on its proposed updates to the regulations governing the Older Americans Act (OAA) program. The proposed rule addresses various emerging issues and seeks to provide clarity on requirements for programs authorized under Titles III (grants to state and community programs on aging), VI (grants to Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian grantees for supportive, nutrition, and caregiver services), and VII (allotments for vulnerable elder rights protection activities) of the OAA. By enhancing support for the national aging services network, the aim of these proposed updates is to improve program implementation and better serve older adults.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced actions to improve enrollment in the Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs program, also known as the Low-Income Subsidy. The Extra Help program provides eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities with help paying for their Medicare Part D prescription drug premiums and cost-sharing. Up to three million older adults and individuals with disabilities are eligible for the Extra Help program but are not enrolled. Actions to increase uptake of the program include targeted efforts to reach those eligible for the program, including individuals living in rural and underserved communities...

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a set of resources aimed at supporting state Medicaid and partner agencies in designing and delivering supports and services to meet the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), as well as their aging parents and caregivers. These resources cover a variety of topics, including strategies for how state Medicaid agencies can anticipate the needs of adults with I/DD, ways states can design and implement person-centered planning to support adults with I/DD, and state policies and practices to support aging caregivers of adults with I/DD.

AARP has released a fact sheet that explores the topic of medication management for older adults, highlighting the challenges they face and the available programs and interventions. This resource emphasizes the importance of effective medication management in preventing adverse events and improving health outcomes for older adults. The fact sheet explores formal medication management programs, such as Medication Therapy Management (MTM) in Medicare and Medicaid, while emphasizing the essential skills required for older adults to effectively manage their medication.

The United Health Foundation recently released the 2023 Senior Report, an annual review of the health of the nation’s older adults and a critical tool to help guide individuals, community leaders, and policymakers to make decisions that are informed by reliable data. The report highlights successes and challenges older adults face in a broad range of health measures to help provide a portrait of the health and well-being of older adults throughout the United States. To accomplish this, the 2023 Senior Report collects data on many health measures, including race/ethnicity, gender, rural/urban geography, income, education, and more.

Arnold Ventures has introduced a new project titled "Melissa & Ann: Navigating America's Tangled Health Care Safety Net," a compelling photo essay featuring the lives of two women living in Southern California who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. Through the lens of award-winning photographer Isadora Kosofsky, this project sheds light on the daily triumphs, challenges, and complexities faced by older adults and people with disabilities navigating the health care system. By sharing these intimate stories, Arnold Ventures aims to inspire policymakers to prioritize improving care for the diverse population of low-income older adults and people with disabilities who are dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.