Affordable Care Act (ACA)

What are the major components of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program? The program establishes a national, voluntary insurance program for purchasing community living services and supports that is designed to expand options for people who become functionally disabled and require long-term help. Find a description of the program, including its financing, eligibility criteria, benefit design and interaction with Medicaid.

What are the CLASS provisions for benefit determination, eligibility, enrollment, oversight, and administration of the program? This report discusses these issues as well as cost and financing for LTC services and the current market for private LTC insurance. Federal budget implications of the CLASS program, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and the CMS are explored. Finally, the report provides a timeline of CLASS program provisions enacted under PPACA.

Find a chart that summarizes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Community First Choice Option. This legislation amends 1915 of the Social Security Act to allow States to provide “Community-Based Attendant Services and Supports”. Information regarding financing, eligibility, scope of services, system design, quality management, evaluation and stakeholder involvement are included.

MIGs have a vital role to play helping to inform and educate disability and employment stakeholders about the impact of reform on working people with disabilities. This brief is designed to help MIGs in that role. It explains the new law’s expected impact on Medicaid eligibility for people with disabilities, and explores the potential new Medicaid enrollment dynamics that MIGs need to consider as health care reform is implemented.

What are the policy changes related to the continuum of care for older people—specifically long term services and supports (LTSS) and chronic care coordination? This analysis examines major provisions in these areas which are organized into five categories: 1) national insurance for long term services and supports; 2) Medicaid options and incentives to expand LTSS; 3) other LTSS provisions; 4) chronic care coordination; and 5) nursing home reforms.

Guidance on the implementation of Section 2001 of the Affordable Care Act: Medicaid Coverage for the Lowest Income Populations is provided. This legislation establishes a new eligibility group and the option for states to begin providing medical assistance to eligible individuals as of April 1, 2010. To implement the 1902(k)(2) option to cover this group, states must submit an amendment to their State Medicaid plans.

Looking for information on the CLASS Act? This report compares provisions in both the House and Senate health care reform legislation, identifies key differences between the two bills, and discusses federal budget implications as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the CMS. It also discusses cost and financing for long-term care services and the current market for private LTC insurance.

What are the key provisions in the 2010 comprehensive health reform? Read a summary of the new law, including the CLASS Act, and changes make to the law by subsequent legislation. The document focuses on changes in coverage, control of health care costs, and improvement of the health care delivery system. Also included is a timeline providing implementation dates.

With funding from The SCAN Foundation, this issue of PPAR features articles that recount the laborious process that led to realization of the long-term care provisions found in ACA, analyze the key provisions of the legislation, and explore hurdles that are certain to be encountered during program implementation. Authors include national experts from The SCAN Foundation, RTI International, Oxford University, AAHSA, Avalere Health, AARP and Ecumen.

Leading health reform proposals in both the House and Senate include a Medicaid expansion to help eliminate state variation in the current program and to broaden health coverage. Because Medicaid is jointly administered and financed by states and the federal government, changes will have direct impact on states. While health reform legislation could have many implications, this brief highlights some of the potential benefits and costs associated with Medicaid expansion in the reform proposals.