Medicaid

A new paper provides an overview of the Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage (FMAP), the formula which is used to determine the federal government's share of the cost of covered services in state Medicaid programs. It also reviews the various temporary changes to the FMAP formula that have taken place over the history of the Medicaid program. Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) establishes highly enhanced FMAPs for the cost of services to low-income adults.

The Senate Finance Committee asked GAO to analyze states' requirements and practices for assessing the financial eligibility of applicants for Medicaid long-term care coverage. This report presents findings on the extent to which states (1) require documentation on assets from applicants, (2) obtain information from third parties to verify applicants' assets, and (3) obtain information about applicants' assets that could be used to implement eligibility-related DRA provisions.

This report is designed to offer the collective wisdom and practical insights of state officials and technical experts related to the leadership and interagency coordination needed to implement the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It discusses the role of leadership and a clear vision for reform, and outlines specific strategies being used by states from low-tech solutions to higher-tech tools. This brief then explores the potential of work planning and formal memorandums of understanding (MOUs).

This article takes a look at who is covered by Medicaid and the important role that Medicaid plays in the lives of many Americans. It also examines Medicaid's role under the Affordable Care Act, how growth in per capita Medicaid spending is slower than growth in private health care spending, how Medicaid improves access to needed health care, and which groups receive the majority of Medicaid spending.

This document describes the State of Indiana’s plan on aging in accordance with Older Americans Act requirements. The plan describes the goals and strategies of Indiana’s Division of Aging to coordinate services for older adults. Amongst some of the goals for FY11-14 is to promote wellness, promote use of the statewide Adult Protective Service hotline, pursue evidence-based programming, and balancing Medicaid long-term supports and services to expand home and community-based services.

This policy brief gives background information on what Managed Care is and how it can be used as a model that promotes Medicaid savings. The brief discusses the different factors for success and the quality standards for Medicaid Managed Care.

This study examines the specific capacities that state Medicaid agencies need to monitor the performance of managed LTSS (MLTSS) programs. It sought to identify promising practices in state oversight as well as the monitoring capacities that should be in place when states begin to implement new or expanded MLTSS programs. Lessons were drawn from oversight practices in eight states (AZ, MA, MN, NM, NY, TN, TX, WI) that have many years of experience operating and overseeing MLTSS.

The coordination of Medicare and Medicaid benefits and services for dually eligible enrollees has been a longstanding policy challenge. Several provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) attempt to address this lack of coordination. This paper reviews the major changes under the ACA directed at care coordination for the dually eligible population and then concludes with a discussion of the continuing legislative and legal challenges in integrating care for the dually eligible.

A statistical model was developed to assess the effect of rebalancing on overall spending for long-term services and supports (LTSS). The model indicates that spending is affected by the way rebalancing is implemented: Gradual rebalancing can reduce spending by about 15 percent over ten years. Because many states continue to experience budget crises, policy makers must think carefully before altering spending patterns for LTSS and adopt strategies to successfully reduce overall spending.

Supported by the Pew Home Visiting Campaign, NASHP conducted a scan of state policies and practices and convened an expert panel to identify mechanisms for supporting home visiting services through Medicaid. This report explores various Medicaid financing mechanisms states could use to support home visiting services and considerations for states exploring these financing options.