Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Arizona has issued reports detailing work the state has done in supporting individuals with disabilities transitioning to work,and self-sufficiency with work incentives, health care coverage, benefits planning, etc. Attached are documents regarding outreach done for the Medicaid Buy-In program including which individuals were trained to disseminate the information, and data on the increase in work incentive utilization for SSI recipients.

Key provisions of the reform law offer a blueprint for tightly-coordinated and consumer-friendly eligibility and enrollment systems with seamless coverage as their goal. This brief summarizes key requirements that states face to construct enrollment systems that help people understand their options, use electronic data-matching and online processes, ensure that people obtain appropriate coverage, and support seamless transitions between coverage in the Exchanges.

Health reform will bring important improvements in health care coverage for people with spinal cord injuries and people with disabilities in general. This brief summarizes insurance market reforms, HCBS options, mandatory health plan coverage provisions, Medicaid, Medicare, prevention and wellness, workforce issues and more.

How is Alabama providing its disabled population with important information on topics such as employment and health care? Attached are a brochure and newsletter with information on help available for individuals receiving benefits who want to work without losing their cash benefits and health care and the new health care laws' expected impact on people with disabilities.

Find state-developed resources on a variety of health reform implementation topics. The site is designed to support state officials working to implement health reform. States are encouraged to share their own resources as well as learn from others. Resources include state-specific overview analyses, work plans, timelines, progress reports, fiscal analyses, proposals for federal funding, state implementation websites and more.

Presentations from NASHP's 23rd annual conference held October 4-6 in New Orleans are available online. Included are remarks from CMS Administrator Donald Berwick , and presentations such as Health Care Reform: New Options for Rebalancing Long Term Services and Supports, Integrating Care for Dual Eligibles, Reforming State Long Term Services and Supports Programs through Participant Direction, and numerous others. Review the presentations about vital issues in state health policy.

This letter provides initial guidance on section 6411 of the Affordable Care Act, Expansion of the Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program, which amends section 1902(a)(42) of the SSA requiring States to establish programs to contract with RACs to audit payments to Medicaid providers by December 31, 2010. CMS expects States to fully implement their RAC programs by April 1, 2011. As required by statute, CMS will be issuing regulations in this area shortly, providing additional guidance.

Several programs based on promising models for improving care for people with chronic conditions, who often experience difficult transitions across care settings that can compromise quality of care and increase costs were created by the heath care reform law. Most of these programs include some level of funding, evaluation, and discretion for the HHS Secretary to expand programs if they meet certain criteria. This fact sheet delineates these programs.

How does ACA provide new financial incentives for states, and create opportunities within existing programs to promote Medicaid HCBS for older persons and adults with disabilities? The number and variety of new options, combined with the prospect of additional federal funds, may give some states added flexibility in balancing their LTC system. Read this fact sheet which enumerates the new programs and modifications to existing ones.

States are curtailing optional services, extending waiting lists, cutting provider reimbursement, and taking other measures to cope with the worst economic downturn in 70 years according to a comprehensive 50 state survey. Even as state revenues shrink, the demand for services is increasing. On a brighter note, many states may participate in expanded HCBS services through ACA opportunities. Review preliminary findings presented at the National HCBS Conference in September, 2010.