Mathematica Policy Research

This recently released follow-up report was aimed at studying changes in the second year after individuals transitioned out of institutional care into community settings. Participants in the MFP program had higher costs during the first twelve months than non-MFP participants who also transitioned to community-based care. However, this study showed that these costs became comparable after the first year of transition.

As part of Mathematica’s ongoing evaluation project of section 1115 demonstrations, they have released their interim findings on MLTSS programs. This preliminary report looked closely MLTSS programs in New York and Tennessee and found mixed results regarding the goals of reducing hospitalizations and rebalancing care. Mathematica aims to release a final report on the effectiveness of MLTSS in 2019.

As part of Mathematica’s ongoing evaluation project of section 1115 demonstrations, they have released their interim findings on the DSRIP program. This report shows quantitative evidence of DSRIP motivating positive provider actions, but the program’s impact on outcomes is still unclear. Mathematica aims to release a final report on the effectiveness of DSRIP in 2019.

CMS recently released a 2017 update to its 2012 MLTSS inventory, compiled by Truven Health Analytics. This study reviewed available information about the status of Medicaid MLTSS programs, and provides updates on the prevalence of MLTSS programs, total enrollment, and specific program design elements as of August 2017. The report surveys the landscape of MLTSS programs across the country, provides detailed summaries of each MLTSS program, and identifies national trends.

CMS regularly reports data on health plan enrollment, quality, and compliance that states can use to monitor the performance of the Medicare Advantage Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) they contract with to serve Medicare-Medicaid enrollees. This technical assistance tool shows how states can use these data to create tables, graphs, and figures and interpret their meaning in order to assess D-SNP performance.

The CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) regularly reports data on Medicare-Medicaid enrollee demographics, service utilization, spending, and other characteristics that can give states a more comprehensive view of this population. This tool shows states how to use these data to create tables, graphs, and figures and interpret their meaning for a wider audience of stakeholders.

This issue brief from the Administration for Community Living describes the nutritional quality of congregate and home-delivered meals offered through the Nutrition Services Program and examines their compliance with the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The brief also discusses how the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2010 was used to assess the nutritional quality of the congregate and home-delivered meals.

The 2017 evaluation of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program for the Elderly provides results and information on the impact of the program on the participants’ food security, socialization, and diet quality. Comparisons are drawn from the previous evaluation of the program conducted in 1995. This evaluation also serves to provide insight into areas needing further review.

This report from Truven Health Analytics describes section 1915(c) home and community based services waiver programs. Over 1.6 million people received section 1915(c) waiver services in 2014; this is a 5 percent increase from 1.5 million in 2013. Furthermore, the number of section 1915(c) waiver participants has increased by an average of 4 percent per year since 2009. Participants received services for an average of 10 months in 2014, as in previous years.

This report provides information about Medicaid LTSS beneficiaries in 2013. The report estimates that approximately 5.2 million people received Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) during calendar year 2013. This data includes state-reported estimates for managed LTSS programs. 72 percent of LTSS beneficiaries received home and community-based services (HCBS), including people who received institutional services during the year.