Medicaid

Presentations from the 2015 National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference.

Presentations from the 2016 National Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Conference.

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.

This brief from the Integrated Care Resource Center discusses opportunities for Medicaid agencies to partner with State Health Insurance Programs (SHIPs). Every state has a SHIP that is responsible for providing counseling and assistance for people with Medicare and their families. This brief highlights approaches used by Arizona, Massachusetts, and Texas, where SHIPs and Medicaid agencies have worked together to educate Medicare-Medicaid enrollees on new care delivery options.

This is a report on the dual eligible financial alignment demonstrations. The Financial Alignment Initiative is a series of demonstrations launched in 2011 by the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

A report by The Menges Group on behalf of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans estimates the current savings of the managed care model in Medicaid and the additional savings that can occur if remaining fee-for-service (FFS) expenditures were moved into a capitated MCO setting. The report estimates that in 2016, the MCO model delivered nationwide Medicaid savings of $7.1 billion. This represents an overall savings of 2.6% on all the funds paid via capitation.

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.

University Center for Children and Families (CCF) and the University of North Carolina NC Rural Health Research Program (NC RHRP) studies the effects of Medicaid on rural areas and small towns as opposed to dense metropolitan areas. Since the implementation of the ACA, those who are covered by insurance have noticeably increased the number of Americans who are insured.

The National Association of State Budget Officers has a semi-annual report, with data gathered from all 50 state budget offices, that provides a narrative analysis of the fiscal condition of the states and data summaries of state general fund revenues, expenditures, and balances. The spring edition of the survey of the states details governors' proposed budgets.

Value-Based Payment (VBP) are alternative payment models that reward high-quality, cost-effective care. While many Medicaid state programs are developing VBP systems for physical health services, they have not made such advances in Medicaid behavioral health care services. The Center for Health Care Strategies’ (CHCS) brief, produced with the California Health Care Foundation, details how five states are innovating their Medicaid managed care organizations through VBP models.