Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

According to the authors, transforming Medicaid’s LTC programs is an urgent priority given states’ challenging fiscal environment. Based on this paper’s model, more than 35 percent of a state’s budget will be needed for Medicaid by 2030, of which half will be for LTC services. The brief examines Medicaid expenditures for LTC, in both institutional and community settings, and presents ideas for consideration for states to transform their programs to help address budget constraints.

What provisions in health care reform will have the most direct impact on family caregivers? This overview discusses long-term care incentives, including the CLASS Act, Community First Choice Option, the extension of Money Follows the Person demonstration programs and ADRC initiatives. The brief also addresses care quality and coordination, and changes involving health care coverage and health care workforce development.

Find a concise summary of new opportunities under the health reform law for states to balance their Medicaid long-term care delivery systems by expanding access to Medicaid HCBS programs. The brief outlines key provisions of the new law that expand HCBS benefit options, broaden financial and functional eligibility criteria, and provide additional financial incentives for states to further shift their Medicaid long-term services budgets to non-institutional settings.

Find useful tools to help you advocate for participant-directed services. This toolkit offers a “Budget Myths Chart” highlighting common myths, counter-arguments, and important facts to make your case, and other helpful tools including personal stories, reports on involving program participants, and tips and examples of opinion articles suggested by policymakers and advocates.

While 1915(c) waivers are a prominent vehicle for the delivery of HCBS, they are not the only mechanism available to States. CMS developed a technical assistance paper that outlines the enrollment authorities that States may consider when designing managed HCBS programs, the review and approval process for each, and rate setting techniques that may be useful. The appendix offers a useful chart outlining the authorities, including their key flexibilities and limitations.

How is New York's MIG program helping train employers about the benefits of hiring disabled employees? New York created Employer Briefs. Examining effective business practices for improving the bottom line of organizations, such as recruiting and retaining a productive workforce is the basis of Employer Brief One. Employer Brief Two covers six action steps companies can take to create a more inclusive, productive workforce. Samples are attached, which could be useful to other MIG states.

How is New York providing concise information about the details and requirements for their MIG program? Fact sheets are one way New York is providing this information efficiently. Samples of some of these are attached and cover topics such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Building Assets and Local Asset Summits. These could be useful samples to other MIG states.

Explore preliminary results for this demonstration to test whether earlier access to health care and related services to SSDI beneficiaries would lead to improved health, increased employment and reduced reliance on SSDI benefits. The brief describes the sample selected and the impacts on health care use and unmet medical needs. Findings indicate the intervention increased the use of health care services and reduced the reported unmet health care needs of the participants.

How are states creating in-depth, understandable descriptions of their MIG programs? New York state created Policy-to-Practice Briefs, filled with information, materials and technical assistance. This series of briefs is designed to reach a wide spectrum of readers, with topics such as self-sufficiency, roles and opportunities for schools and education systems, and SSDI. It's thoughtful approach and design make it a good example for other states looking at structuring this kind of information.

Review an overview of federal priorities and recent trends in the field of prevention including descriptions of current initiatives in the public and private sectors, discussion of the potential role of ADRCs and other coordinated points of entry in health promotion and disease prevention programs, and sources of further information for program development. Also find a companion document that offers ten simple strategies that ADRCs can use to promote health and wellness.