Medicaid Waivers

While faced with new challenges, reduced budgets, and growing populations requiring more services, states are stronger than ever, and the work they do is more effective than ever in reaching individuals and addressing their needs. The National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference 2017 highlights these achievements, allowing states to share best practices, present unique partnerships, and recognize the work of their peers.

In 2017, ADvancing States administered a survey of state agencies that deliver LTSS, including aging and disability agencies as well as Medicaid programs, regarding the significant policy, fiscal, and operational issues occurring within each state. During the survey, we collected detailed information about the structure of agencies, the supports provided, and the populations served by state programs.

The Community Living Policy Center reviewed the effects of the Better care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) should it pass. Upon review, they conclude that had it been implemented in the mid-2000s then it would have reduced Federal reimbursments becuase of the proposed caps.

Mathematica Policy Research recently released their Money Follows the Person 2015 Annual Evaluation Report. This report provides basic information about the program, as well as how the program has grown and changed since transitions began in 2007. The Annual Evaluation Report also discusses estimates of program outcomes and is the basis for a report to congress.

On May 26th, 2017 the Congressional Research Service released their report on H.R. 1628: The American Health Care Act (AHCA) that was passed in the House on May 4th, 2017. This report provides an overview of all the AHCA provisions. It also discusses how the bill includes a number of provisions that would repeal or modify parts of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

In recognition of a lack of reliable and robust information on the value of state managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) nationally, this report aims to partially fill the gap with data and evidence from a survey of state agencies and a review of relevant outside research, and to also serve as a jumping off point for future study.

This report from Truven Health Analytics describes Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) expenditures. The report shows federal fiscal year 2015 data, along with updates for FY 2012 through 2014 spending. Along with discussing trends in Medicaid LTSS expenditures, the report includes numerous data tables that summarize national and state-level expenditures by service category and state.

This report examines opportunities for the Aging Network to expand partnerships with health care organizations and other entities through focusing on the value of investing in information technology (IT). This report also focuses on a federal funding opportunity and the experiences of three AAAs that are actively seeking to build out IT in the context of contracts with an expanding number of health care organizations and other entities through focusing on the value of investing in information.

The results of the annual survey represent a snapshot of the current status of state government employees, the agencies that administer the programs, and the services that are provided. The 2015 survey revealed that states are continuing to address the same underlying challenges discussed in the previous reports.The report also includes summary tables that outline specific information about each individual state agency and LTSS program. Email adiaz@advancingstates.org to request a hard copy version.

In 2014, ADvancing States surveyed state aging and disability agencies regarding the significant policy, fiscal, and operational issues occurring within each state. The survey collected detailed information about the structure of agencies, the supports provided, and the populations served by aging and disability agencies. Of particular interest is the summary of services provided in Medicaid waivers across the country. All of this information is presented in the charts accompanying this document.