Toolkit

This toolkit provides resources and guidance for front-line staff and administrators in APS working with clients with substance abuse concerns. This toolkit provides a variety of resources including but not limited to: Training for front-line staff on working with substance abuse disorders and possible co-occurring mental health challenges, Lived experience stories from people recovering from substance abuse, and Policies and procedures template for APS administrators.

USAging, formerly known as n4a, published a new report on findings from the 2020 Title VI Native American Aging Program Survey. The National Title VI Program Survey, conducted approximately every three years, explores trends and evolving needs of Title VI programs across the country. This 2020 Report analyzes data on staffing, budget and services, and the needs of Title VI programs. The survey also gathered data on the impact of the pandemic on Title VI grantees and the older adults they serve.

The CDC has provided a new COVID-19 resource on their website for people with intellectual and development disabilities. This resource was developed by the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) to provide individuals with low literacy and their caregivers information on how to stay safe during the pandemic. The virtual resource explains vaccinations, COVID-19 testing, handwashing, mask-wearing and social distancing through videos and visual storytelling.

In collaboration with the Partners in Care Foundation, the Aging and Disability Business Institute has developed a Health Care Outreach Toolkit that offers customizable messages and targets for community-based organization (CBOs) to use when reaching out to potential health care partners.

NCOA has partnered with the Medicare Rights Center to develop a toolkit for counselors who work with dual eligibles and beneficiaries themselves. This toolkit was created following interviews and focus groups with counselors and will be updated continually.

CMS has released a Center Informational Bulletin providing tools to states and CMS to improve the oversight of managed care and increase beneficiaries’ access to care. In the bulletin, CMS shares resources to improve compliance with managed care standards and requirements and guidance setting the content and format of the Annual Managed Care Program Report. The bulletin also outlines multiple tools and resources for improving managed care oversight that are currently in development at CMS.

NCOA has partnered with the Medicare Rights Center to develop a toolkit for counselors who work with dual eligibles and beneficiaries. The toolkit includes a break down of coverage options in an easy-to-understand format for counselors and consumers. This toolkit was created following interviews and focus groups with counselors, and will be updated and enhanced with additional materials on an ongoing basis.

CMS released an update to the COVID-19 Vaccines Toolkit that was released on 10/28/20 and first updated on 11/23/20. This update includes more information on vaccine administration reimbursement and outlines a streamlined review process available to states looking to quickly adjust vaccine administration reimbursement rates in state plans. The toolkit also provides more clarification on managed care network adequacy and the phased distribution and administration approved COVID-19 vaccines.

CMS released a new supplement to its State Medicaid & CHIP Telehealth Toolkit that provides new examples and insights into lessons learned from states that have implemented telehealth changes. The toolkit includes approaches and tools states can use to communicate with providers on utilizing telehealth. The toolkit includes updates and consolidates the FAQs and resources for states to consider as they begin planning beyond the temporary flexibilities provided in response to the pandemic.

The updated supplemental information is intended to help states strategically think through how they explain and clarify to telehealth providers and other stakeholders which policies are temporary or permanent. It also helps states identify: • Services that can be accessed through telehealth • Which providers may deliver those services • Ways providers may use in order to deliver services through telehealth, • Circumstances under which telehealth can be reimbursed once the PHE expires