All States/Territories

A project of ADvancing States and NCIL, this report shares information on a range of issues – including services and referrals, technology and social media, partnerships and systems, quality assurance, training and certification, and sustainability – from the perspectives of I&R/A professionals in state agencies on aging and disability, Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, No Wrong Door systems, and other non-profit human service organizations.

The GAO released a report to the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means summarizing findings of a survey sent to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) directors about the usability of the Medicare Plan Finder (MPF) website. The MPF website is a resource for comparing Medicare coverage options to help beneficiaries make informed decisions about their coverage. The report also includes other areas of improvement to make the website more user-friendly.

CMS released an informational bulletin that provides guidance regarding new constructions and the HCBS heightened scrutiny process. The 2014 Medicaid HCBS regulation’s settings regulation requires an in-depth assessment, called heightened scrutiny, for certain providers that are presumed to be institutional. This guidance provides clarification and flexibility to states, including an overview of three potential scenarios for how newly constructed settings could receive Federal funding

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) released a fact sheet that provides information for the Medicare Extra Help/Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). The fact sheet includes information on redeeming, redeterminations, and reassignment for the LIS/Extra Help program.

CMS has released a notice with information about the process for states to apply for a “good faith effort” (GFE) exemption, which provides up to one year of extra time to come into compliance with Electronic Visit Verification.

The National Academy of Social Insurance released a report on potential designs for universal family care. The report highlights state program design proposals for early child care and education, paid family and medical leave, and long-term services and supports. The LTSS section of the report proposes four design issues states may face in developing a social insurance program for LTSS.

The Leavitt Partners released a report reviewing the Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) benefit, focusing on the program integrity of the benefit. . The report examines challenges and opportunities for Medicaid directors in improving Medicaid NEMT program integrity.

The AARP Public Policy Institute released a report outlining the recent changes to supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage. The report explains the major changes in benefits present in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

This literature review examines the current challenges and future opportunities congregate nutrition programs face as the older adult population increases and becomes more diverse.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has released a briefing report that examines compliance with federal laws designed to protect students of color with disabilities from discrimination, and whether the federal government’s enforcement of these laws protects these students from discriminatory school discipline practices and policies.