Affordable Care Act (ACA)

To improve beneficiary care and reduce unnecessary expenditures, a number of states have developed programs and initiatives aimed at improving the coordination and management of care for dual eligibles—beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare for their health care services. This report reviews the experiences in nine states to determine the lessons that can be learned from experience.

This issue brief is the first in a series of four papers designed to highlight pressing issues facing dual eligibles and provide recommendations to the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, state Medicaid agencies and other interested policymakers and stakeholders on how to address them. This first paper provides recommendations for consumer protections in delivery system models that integrate Medicare and Medicaid.

Health care reform offers opportunities for cash-strapped Medicaid programs to save money and get extra federal dollars. Amid the budget shortfalls that most states are experiencing, state policymakers should carefully consider the new opportunities presented by health care reform and direct their resources to those that will both improve health outcomes and services and realize cost savings or efficiencies.

The ACA creates a new framework to address community health needs as an integral component of the success of overall health reform. This symposium was designed to address current broad-based attempts to advance healthy communities and healthy living, which are less recognized contributions of the ACA than activities such as coverage expansion, health insurance regulation and reform, and changes in medical practice and payment. Learn more about the agenda and view the presentations.

Looking to better understand The Community Living Assistance Services and Support Program? FCA has collected some of the most relevant research and reports about the program.

Find two examples of quarterly newsletters produced by the state of Minnesota and directed at consumers with disabilities. Within the newsletters are personal stories from individuals with disabilities regarding employment, rehabilitation, finances and more as well as important information and resources for consumers. May be replicable by other states seeking to provide similar MIG outreach materials.

How is the state of Maryland providing necessary information on Medicaid waiver programs to consumers, families, and professionals? Attached find a presentation from a 2010 training presentation as well as a case study. May be replicable by other states wanting to disseminate similar information.

How is the state of Maryland helping to keep individuals with disabilities up to date on important changes in health care policies and law? On December 8, 2010, the Maryland Department of Disabilities held a summit in order to provide information on important changes regarding “Newly Eligible” Medicaid, Medicaid Buy-In, and Medicare. Reivew the the presentation.

How is the state of Louisiana disseminating important information to individuals with disabilities who are employed or seeking employment? Attached are several examples of tip sheets developed by Louisiana’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant project with funds from the Center on Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. Included is information on jobs, benefits, support, taxes, and more. May be replicable by other states hoping to provide similar outreach.

On November 15, 2010, the CHOICES CEO Project sponsored an “Employment for ME Summit” to introduce Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ new employment policy. A resource page with extensive information about the summit, and links to technical resource materials disseminated at the conference, was put on a web page for those who couldn’t attend, and for ongoing reference for those who did attend. In addition, 14 important segments were put on YouTube.