AARP Public Policy Institute

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.

Medicaid finances nearly half of all LTSS spending. Review an update to existing data on Medicaid financial eligibility standards for nursing home and HCBS waiver services for older persons and adults with disability. 2009 data were obtained on state selection of optional pathways for eligibility, income and asset standards, cost-sharing and other post-eligibility financial requirements. A copy of the survey instrument and accompanying letter to state Medicaid Directors are included.

Disability rates among older Americans have declined, and the ways in which community-dwelling older people with disabilities managed their conditions have substantially changed over the 20 years covered by this survey. Among those receiving human assistance, the vast majority were helped by family caregivers, who are increasingly taking full responsibility for providing care. Find detailed analyses of the data in two research reports that provide insight into the factors driving these changes.

State-authorized health plans whose members are qualified to receive both Medicare and Medicaid benefits face administrative challenges. This study examines care management practices in four health plans that serve persons who are dually eligible. The authors describe how health plans operationalize their integrated care management approaches and identify a common framework for integrating care.

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.

Find a summary of the CLASS Act developed by the AARP Public Policy Institute. The legislation creates a voluntary national insurance program for long-term services and supports (LTSS) to help address the financial challenges many American households face when confronted with the high cost of LTSS. This fact sheet succinctly answers questions such as who can participate in CLASS, what are the benefit amounts, how are premiums computed and how CLASS interacts with Medicaid.

Forthcoming legislation provides an opportunity to improve specialized transportation services, particularly those funded by the Federal Transit Administration. This report recommends that policymakers take steps to strengthen coordinated planning, increase support for mobility management, and improve data collection and reporting on these services. Also included is a link to a table delineating key characteristics of the FTA Programs and some background papers.

What are the housing challenges facing older adults? Find out in this report that also explores strategies to better enable older adults to age in place or in their community. It discusses accessible, safe, and affordable housing, access to social services and transportation, and housing models that help to allow aging in place. Also included is a link to an online toolkit, and a series of fact sheets on housing for seniors.

Find a link to a collection of fact sheets published by the AARP Public Policy Institute that discuss how health reform legislation specifically affects aspects of Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance and coverage, the health care delivery system, prevention, long term care options, and the primary care workforce. One specific fact sheet address how "Health Care Reform Improves Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services".

AARP has produced a set of state-by-state briefs that highlight the most up-to-date long-term care data for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Information is provided about each state's older population, long-term care funding, the cost and ranking of nursing homes, and long-term care insurance. The data utilized in these reports is the most recent publicly available data collected for all states.