Fact Sheets

The Nutrition and Aging Resource Center has created this resource to support Title IIIC meal programs navigating the expiration of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). The factsheet reviews what nutrition programs should expect as well as recommendations on how to meet requirements as flexibilities related to the PHE end.

CMS issued a proposed rule (CMS-1787-P) that would update Medicare hospice payments and the aggregate cap amount for FY 2024 in accordance with existing statutory and regulatory requirements. This rule includes information on hospice utilization trends and solicits comments regarding information related to the provision of higher levels of hospice care, spending patterns for non-hospice services provided during the election of the hospice benefit, ownership transparency, equipping patients and caregivers with information to inform hospice election decision-making selection, and ways to examine health equity under the hospice benefit. This rule also proposes conforming regulations text changes related to the expiration of the COVID-19 PHE.

On Wednesday, April 5th, CMS issued a final rule that revises the Medicare Advantage (MA or Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit (Part D), Medicare Cost Plan, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) regulations to implement changes related to Star Ratings, marketing and communications, health equity, provider directories, coverage criteria, prior authorization, and network adequacy. Additionally, the final rule also makes permanent the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (LI NET) Program and expands eligibility for the full low-income subsidy benefit to individuals with incomes up to 150% of the federal poverty level who meet eligibility criteria.

CMS released the Announcement of Calendar Year (CY) 2024 Medicare Advantage (MA) Capitation Rates and Part C and Part D Payment Policies (the Rate Announcement). CMS will phase-in certain updates, and on average, CMS anticipates a payment increase for MA plans of 3.32% from 2023 to 2024, which is approximately a $13.8 billion increase in MA payments for next year. The Rate Announcement finalizes updates to MA payment growth rates and changes to the MA and Part D payment methodologies. These include technical and clinical updates to the MA risk adjustment model to keep it up to date and improve payment accuracy.

2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures is a statistical resource for U.S. data related to Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia. Background and context for interpretation of the data are contained in the Overview. Additional sections address prevalence, mortality and morbidity, caregiving, the dementia care workforce, and the use and costs of health care and services. The Special Report examines obstacles and opportunities for achieving better care in an era of new treatments for Alzheimer’s.

AARP’s Public Policy Institute released a report titled “Underused Medicare Savings Programs Can Help Many More Older Adults Afford Health Care”. Medicare Savings Programs or MSPs provide financial assistance with certain Medicare costs for eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries, and are administered by state Medicaid agencies. According to the report, about 16 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in MSPs; however, the number of individuals eligible for these programs is estimated to be much higher. The paper discusses the findings from the organization’s analysis and research, and proposes areas states can consider to increase enrollment and expand eligibility.

Resources for Integrated Care (RIC) recently released a brief on telehealth, and its impact on dually eligible people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). As noted by RIC, people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, as well as people with I/DD, are diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions at higher rates than the general population and often face barriers with access to healthcare. Telehealth services have been increasing in popularity and usage and has the potential to positively impact people with I/DD. Health plans can utilize the information in the document to further their understanding of how telehealth modalities can improve access to person centered care for people with I/DD.

On Monday, February 13, 2023, Justice in Aging released a fact sheet on what advocates can do to ensure that dually eligible older adults can do to avoid disruptions in care when Medicaid public health emergency flexibilities end. The sheet provides further information on the “unwinding” process and state partners to address specific challenges that face the dually eligible population.

KFF’s “Medicaid: What to Watch in 2023” issue brief provides information on issues and considerations affecting Medicaid this year, including Medicaid Coverage and Financing; Access and Health Equity; and, Enrollment and Access Among People Eligible for Medicaid through Age or Disability.

Justice in Aging just released a new issue brief on the use of psychotropic medications in nursing facilities. The brief explores why reform initiatives have had limited success and the implications the use of psychotropic medications has on residents’ decision-making rights. In this installment of a series of issue briefs, Justice in Aging evaluates several proposals, and those proposals’ impacts on real-world residents.