Assessments

This article explores savings outcomes and programmatic factors that may support savings in the Cash & Counseling Demonstration, using a convenience sample of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries from three states: Arkansas, Florida, and New Jersey.

The Individual Budgets pilot programme was a cross-government initiative led by the Department of Health working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions, and Communities and Local Government in the United Kingdom. The pilot was conducted over two years 2006-2007 involving 13 local authorities, the abstract and final report are available here.

This study of the Cash & Counseling demonstration program for adults in the three participating states examines how a new model of consumer-directed care changes the way that consumers with disabilities meet their personal care needs and how that affects their well-being. Demonstration enrollment, which occurred between December 1998 and July 2002, was open to interested beneficiaries who were eligible for PCS under their state Medicaid plan.

This article discusses the quality of care received by participants in the Cash & Counseling Demonstration and Evaluation, including health outcomes, the potential for fraud and abuse, and participant satisfaction.

This video offers a first-hand account of how one consumer negotiates the Cash & Counseling program. Developed as a part of the Consultant Training Project, this piece was produced by Burness Communications with funding from CMS and MEDSTAT. Follow the link to save and view the video.

How well is the state of Indiana’s Information Network (BIN) program satisfying participant needs? Funded in part, by the Indiana Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, BIN was set up to create a network between all the benefits counselors and providers to improve the use of federal and state work incentives. By exploring the number of cases per region, as well as work incentives used and recommended, this survey could serve as a guide for other states, with similar goals.

The purpose of this study was to determine consumers’ interest in a cash option for personal assistance services, in comparison to traditional agency-delivered services. Telephone surveys and focus groups produced information on four states, including demographics, and preference toward a cash option. The results are discussed and policy issues are examined.

This memo outlines the three provisions in the DRA of 2005 relating to the availability of federal Medicaid funds for the provision on Cash & Counseling and related non-institutional long-term care services to low-income elderly and low-income individuals with disabilities.

To help understand the implications of consumer-directed programs abroad, AARP's Public Policy Institute commissioned a study to describe and analyze consumer-directed programs in the Netherlands, England, and Germany. Researchers completed in-person interviews with key stakeholders and conducted an in-depth literature review.

This study examines how this model of consumer-direction changes the way consumers meet their personal assistance needs. Consumers reported the type, timing, and amount of personal assistance they received, as well as any home or vehicle modifications and equipment purchases made, to meet their personal assistance needs. This report discusses consumer-satisfaction, unmet needs, and additional Medicaid costs.