Read Manatt Health’s updated resource guide, spotlighting how states are transforming long-term services and supports during COVID-19 and planning for the future.
The Buzz
News on transforming care for older adults
February25 th
UC Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program launched an exploration into issues older adults are facing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the following articles picked-up by a variety of news outlets:
- KQED: With COVID-19 Concerns, Anxious Families Eye In-Home Senior Care
- The Mercury News: Rapid Vaccine Rollout at California Nursing Homes Raises Concern
- CalMatters: ‘How Am I Going to Keep This Up?’ COVID Intensifies Plight of Family Caregivers
- Los Angeles Times: Vaccine roll-out at board-and-care homes
Read a new Playbook blog where Marc Cohen and Ann Hwang, MD discuss new research showing racial disparities in accounting for the preferences of older people, and how health systems can become more person-centered.
February10 th
A new analysis from ATI Advisory and the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) shows that more Medicare Advantage plans are offering Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) and with wider availability. Learn more about ways to advance new, non-medical supplemental benefits in Medicare:
- Explore a new data brief and chartbook on Medicare Advantage plan offerings in 2021.
- Hear new insights on opportunities for policymakers.
- Watch Part 1 and Part 2 of a webinar series and review the slides.
- Read the Roadmap for plan considerations and policy opportunities.
Aging and Disability Business Institute (ADBI) provides resources and training to community-based organizations seeking to build contracting relationships with health care partners. Visit the redesigned ADBI website for:
- A new Resource Library
- Updated suite of assessment tools
- Best practices in contracting through Partnerships in Action
February3 rd
The Pacesetter Prize shines a light on states that are actively creating a high-performing system of care, and shares best practices.
Watch our recent webinar with Pacesetter Prize state leaders who shared insights about challenges and successes.
Read an article that highlights these leading states and opportunities to plan for an aging population.
- Affordability and Access: Connecticut won for its robust program offerings – featuring extensive benefit options – for people with and without Medicaid.
- Choice of Setting and Provider: New Jersey won for being a national leader in using managed care to give more choices, and increasing access to home- and community-based care for Medicare-eligible adults with complex needs.
- Support for Family Caregivers: New York won for its comprehensive approach to empowering family caregivers, strengthening paid family leave laws, and expanding transportation options.
- Effective Transitions: Ohio won for its successful efforts to move people who need LTSS out of institutions and back into community-based settings.
Learn more about the Pacesetter Prize and continue the conversation on social with #PacesetterPrize.
January27 th
Nearly 250 federal regulatory changes have occurred in response to COVID-19, and will likely continue in the near future. Read Health Management Associates’ new analysis and blog on updates to Medicare regulatory flexibilities since July 2020 (co-funded with The Commonwealth Fund).
A new research brief from Scripps Gerontology Center shares insights on contracts between community-based organizations (CBOs) and health care entities to better understand key populations, services, payment, and potential challenges.
Learn about the Community Care Connections program that helps older adults with complex needs navigate medical and social services, and shows promise on reducing acute care utilization.
January21 st
Governor Gavin Newsom released his 2021-22 proposed budget on January 8. Read our fact sheet to learn how the budget connects to California’s Master Plan for Aging.
According to new research from the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, one-third of older adults report that their care preferences were rarely or only sometimes taken into account, with large variations by race, income, and other factors. Learn more!
Join the Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory for a new webinar on ways to advance non-medical supplemental benefits in 2022 and beyond, featuring experts from health plans, providers, and advocacy groups.
- Hear insights from ATI experts
- Review the roadmap and two-page summary
- Watch December 4th webinar recording and slides
January14 th
The Master Plan for Aging presents a comprehensive blueprint for public and private entities at the state, regional, and local levels to address system issues and transform services across housing, transportation, health care, and long-term services and supports.
Learn how California’s Master Plan meets the five elements for plan success.
People who are dually eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid are among the nation’s highest-need, highest-cost populations. The Better Care Playbook has grouped resources on care models that integrate services and financing for these beneficiaries. Read the related blog.
January6 th
Today, the state released the Master Plan for Aging, a visionary, 10-year blueprint that seeks to build an equitable California where everyone has the opportunity to age with dignity and independence in the place that they call home. Hear from the foundation CEOs.
Watch the video conference to learn about the Master Plan’s five bold goals and 23 strategies for building a California for All Ages by 2030.
Join us for a January 22 conversation about how states can improve long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. This event will honor the winning states of the 2020 Pacesetter Prize: Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The Prize, which uses data from the AARP LTSS State Scorecard, shines light on states that are actively building a high-quality infrastructure for aging Americans.
December16 th
A new article from USA TODAY explains why the holidays are a great time to start talks about growing older with aging loved ones.
A recent radio and print piece from KQED explores how decisions families make around keeping an aging parent home or moving them out for potentially better, more constant care have become all the more complicated this year.
What is complex care? Visit the redesigned Better Care Playbook to learn about adults with complex health and social needs and the myriad resources available. Watch a related video to learn more about what’s new.
December2 nd
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) re-released its 2019 report on ways to expand supplemental benefits in Medicare for those with complex care needs. Starting in 2020, Medicare Advantage plans were permitted to offer special supplemental benefits for the chronically ill (SSBCI).
BPC’s latest resources include an infographic on Medicare’s legislative and regulatory pathways, an infographic on SSBCI, and a helpful one-pager.
ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) shared resources on the non-medical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage. The related November 19 webinar recording and presentation slides are now available on the Better Care Playbook.
Read additional information from the Aging and Disability Business Institute: Changes to Medicare Advantage Reinforce the Role of CBOs in Supplemental Benefits.
Last month, the 2020 Pacesetter Prize for leadership in improving long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers was awarded to Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
Read related coverage of this year’s LTSS State Scorecard in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) magazine.
November19 th
The ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) released new resources on the expanded, non-medical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage, including a roadmap outlining actionable steps as well as a brief explaining short- and long-term policy opportunities.
Join today’s 9:30 am (Pacific time) webinar from the Better Care Playbook to hear more.
The field of complex care is creating models and innovative approaches to better serve people with complex care needs. Grantmakers in Aging released Creating New Connections: How Philanthropy Can Support Better Care for People with Complex Health and Social Needs, which summarizes key issues and includes case studies for funders to deepen their work.
Our recent AARP Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard blog identifies opportunities for reshaping how services are delivered to older adults, people with disabilities, and their family caregivers.
November17 th
We are pleased to announce Sarita A. Mohanty, MD, MPH, MBA, as the new President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation starting January 2021. Dr. Mohanty comes from Kaiser Permanente, where she served as Vice President of Care Coordination for Medicaid and Vulnerable Populations. Learn more!
