Aging/Older Adults

The Family Support Research and Training Center (FSRTC) published a report that identifies indicators to monitor, track, and evaluate family support services: demographics of the caregiving situation, the impact on families, and indicators to assess family support at the state level. It also details recommendations for improvements to national and state datasets. The recommendations are intended to aid researchers and policymakers in improving family support services nationwide.

The National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices Health Division released a new guide, “The Future of Medicaid Transformation: A Practical Guide for States.” The guide provides a framework for how states can design statewide Medicaid transformation proposals, and is based on the NGA policy academy attended by three states that initially pursued Section 1115 waivers (Alabama, Nevada, and Washington).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their monthly report for May 2016 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility determination, and enrollment data. States provides data to CMS on factors related to key application, eligibility and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly.

On Wednesday, July 20, 2016, the Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc. (CHCS) published a new brief, “State Trends in the Delivery of Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports.” With support from The SCAN Foundation, seven states (Arizona, California, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Texas) were selected to provide insights into current trends in both managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) program refinement and long term services and supports (LTSS) system reform.

On Friday, July 15, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published an informational bulletin to provide an update on the next steps for the annual redetermination of Medicare Part D low-income subsidy (LIS) deemed status, also known as “re-deeming.” The information provided is aimed to help states understand the process and their role in ensuring that dual eligible beneficiaries have timely, affordable, and comprehensive coverage under Medicare Part D.

On Friday, July1, 2016, Mathematica Policy Research published a report summarizing the basic approach to rate-setting in Medicaid managed care and reviews the main options for structuring managed LTSS (MLTSS) rates. It presents examples from states with financial alignment demonstrations as well as long-standing MLTSS programs. The report concludes by highlighting the policy and operational considerations that should influence a state’s choice of strategy.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics in collaboration with the Kessler Foundation and the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability published this month's National Trends on Disability Employment report (nTIDE). Each month this report is published to mark the changes of employment for people with disabilities.

Gary Sullivan, a member of UnitedHealthcare in Tennessee, shares his perspective on the benefits he’s received from being a UnitedHealthcare member. Gary, who was a practicing attorney until his retirement, has been wheelchair-bound due to his muscular dystrophy for many years, and has significant need for help with activities of daily living.

The Center for Policy and Evaluation, Administration for Community Living (ACL) published the policy brief “Promoting Community Living for Older Adults Who Need” in June, which marked the 17th anniversary of the Olmstead v. LC Supreme Court decision. The Olmstead decision has helped older adults and people with disabilities receive more integrated care; however, the policy brief outlines opportunities that states have to further improve their home and community-based services (HCBS).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released their monthly report for April 2016 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility determination, and enrollment data. States provides data to CMS on factors related to key application, eligibility and enrollment processes using the Medicaid and CHIP Performance Indicator Project. The data is then used to inform CMS on the operations of the programs in each state and to share state performance data publicly.