Medicaid

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.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released their monthly report for February 2018 on Medicaid and CHIP application, eligibility determination, and enrollment data. This report includes point-in-time data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including the number of applications submitted directly to Medicaid and CHIP agencies, the number of eligibility determinations made on these applications, and the total number of individuals enrolled in the Medicaid and CHIP programs.

This report describes key considerations and policy decisions that states should consider as they work to implement EVV systems in accordance with the mandate included in the 21st Century Cures Act. The paper also examines different approaches that states may wish to use to establish EVV within their HCBS programs, and discusses some of the benefits and challenges associated with each approach. Lastly, it includes case studies of four states with existing EVV systems.

This brief uses a series of interviews to explore the ways that Medicaid health plans can work to meet the nutritional needs of low-income older adults. Best practices identified include hiring staff with strong nutrition experience, using assessments to create targeted interventions, adapting effective programs from other populations, and utilizing community resources. This paper is particularly optimistic about the potential of Medicaid partnerships with community-based organizations.

OHA has published volume IV of A State of Decay. This report examines the progress of states in promoting oral health in older adults, analyzing a combination of publicly available data and information from surveys conducted with state dental directors. It uses six main variables from these sources to rank states according to the quality of their oral health care for adults aged 65 plus. The report also highlights a number of future recommendations for supporting oral health in older adults.

This fact sheet and issue brief explore how federal programs support older Americans. The focus is on four main areas, including health programs, economic security, housing and food, and legal assistance. These publications help explain how various federal programs can ideally work together to allow older Americans to meet their basic needs and maintain a high quality of life.

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.

MACPAC’s 2018 Report to Congress on Medicaid and CHIP addresses managed care, telehealth, and disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment. The report presents recommendations and analyses backed up by analyses of administrative data and reviews of federal and state policies in each of these areas.

This brief from the Center for Health Care Strategies discusses how accountable care organizations (ACOs) have become increasingly prevalent in the United States. This brief highlights the results of Medicaid ACO programs across the country to date, as well as key themes and lessons from these early adopters. It also examines how Medicaid ACO programs have evolved over time.

This issue brief reviews the structure of the prescription drug benefit in Medicaid and the traditional policy levers states have used to control drug spending. It also describes state strategies to contain costs, such as efforts to obtain greater rebates, actions concerning generic drugs and biosimilar alternatives, transparency laws and new efforts to draw on federal resources.