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The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) recently released an interactive map summarizing the current status of state Medicaid expansion decisions. This resource provides up-to-date information on the adoption of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) Medicaid expansion in different states, including details on legislative actions, executive actions, voter-led initiatives, and coverage expansions. View this interactive map to gain insights into the Medicaid expansion landscape and the efforts made by states to enhance healthcare accessibility for their populations.

CMS projects the calendar year 2024 average total monthly premium for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to be $55.40; a decrease of 1.8 percent from 2023. The average total Part D premium is the sum of the average basic premium and the average supplemental premium for plans with enhanced coverage. CMS reports that the projected decrease in the average total Part D premium is due to a limit in the growth of the base beneficiary premium to an annual six percent increase and other changes to the Part D benefit in 2024 as specified by the Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, in 2024 CMS’ Part D pharmacy price concessions policy is expected to reduce beneficiary out-of-pocket costs by requiring Part D plans to apply all price...

On Monday, July 31, CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP. As of April 2023, over 65.8 million people are enrolled in Medicare; more than 33.9 million are enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare and more than 31.9 have a Medicare Advantage plan. Over 94.1 million enrollees have Medicaid and CHIP; more than 87 million individuals have Medicaid and nearly 7.1 million have coverage through CHIP. Over 12 million individuals are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and are counted in the enrollment figures for both programs...

This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that Appendix K flexibilities currently scheduled to end on Nov. 11, 2023 may be extended, if a state takes action by Nov. 11, 2023 to permanently incorporate desired Appendix K provisions into their 1915(c) programs. The applicable Appendix K flexibilities will remain in place until the effective date of the 1915(c) waiver amendment or renewal...

This week, CMS announced its Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model, which aims to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on unpaid caregivers, and help people remain in their homes and communities through care coordination and management, caregiver support, and respite services. Through the GUIDE Model, CMS will test an alternative payment for participants who deliver key supportive services to people with dementia, including comprehensive, person-centered assessments and care plans, care coordination, and 24/7 access to a support line. The intended beneficiary population is community-dwelling Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, including beneficiaries dually eligible for Medicare...

Join the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Renewals webinars focused on special populations. This webinar series will provide partners with strategies to reach out to diverse communities and audiences to share information about Medicaid and CHIP renewals. Each webinar will also include a “train-the-trainer” presentation, during which CMS will walk-through a set of downloadable slides that partners can use to educate others in their communities about Medicaid and CHIP renewals.

The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, the Virginia Caregiver Support Program, and the Virginia Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have recently released a toolkit for caregivers of Veterans for disaster preparedness. This resource is designed to empower caregivers of Veterans, providing them with essential tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges of caregiving during disasters. With a focus on increasing caregiver confidence and preparedness, this toolkit aims to help caregivers prepare both themselves and the Veterans they care for in the face of crisis.

KFF’s brief, “Key Facts About Medicare Part D Enrollment and Costs in 2023”, analyzes enrollment and costs for the Medicare Part D benefit in 2023 and trends. Medicare Part D provides outpatient prescription drug coverage through a standalone Medicare Part D plan (PDP) to supplement Original or Traditional Medicare, or through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan (MA-PD) or other Medicare Health Plan with drug coverage. The analysis notes that in 2023 over half of those with Medicare Part D coverage are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with a Part D benefit. Enrollment in the MA-PD plans continues to outpace enrollment in PDPs. MA-PD enrollment grew by 47% between 2019 and 2023 while PDP enrollment fell by 12%.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) has released a resource offering insights and guidance on legal and financial planning for people living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. This article emphasizes the importance of early preparation and covers essential legal and financial planning documents, including advance health care directives and directives for financial and estate management. This resource offers guidance on seeking assistance with legal and financial planning, including advice on advance care planning discussions with healthcare providers and locating support from elder law attorneys. Additionally, it provides information about available resources for low-income families.

Registration is now open for the 2023 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) National Training Program (NTP) virtual workshops. Session dates and topics for the upcoming week are as follows: August 1st: Coordination of Benefits August 2nd: Medicare Scenarios (Casework Session) August 3rd: Medicare for People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) All sessions will start at 1:00 p.m. and conclude no later than 3:30 p.m. ET.