The Buzz

Case managers play an increasingly vital role in today’s hospital landscape. The Care Excellence case management training for hospitals contains three series of self-paced courses.

We honored caregivers of all generations at the 2020 Rose Parade® earlier this year. Aging Today recently wrote about several of the caregivers whose experiences and advice we’ve shared.

Do you advise people who would like to learn more about their Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits? In a recent mini-documentary created by Univision and shared on My Care, My Choice, Ernesto Vazquez describes his experience with navigating Medicare and Medicaid.

Learn about a Northern California model’s three-pronged approach to help long-term care residents return to the community.

A webinar on the Better Care Playbook unpacks how two health care innovators are successfully engaging their communities and using consumer insights to rethink service delivery.

How can services that address social needs be integrated into clinical care? A new report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine identifies current approaches and recommendations to expand social care in health care delivery. Read the related blog post.

Our initiative page on partnerships between community-based organizations (CBOs) and the health care sector links to myriad resources including the Aging and Disability Business Institute, training modules for CBOs to build their business acumen, and last year’s Blueprint for Health Plans.

The Care Excellence training program helps prepare care management teams in health plans and hospitals to best serve diverse older adults with complex needs. Check out the latest course offerings.

The AgingToday article discusses how health systems are learning to integrate the 4Ms (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility) into their workflows to improve care for older adults.

A TSF-authored AARP blog post discusses how the California Master Plan should engage public and private sectors in systems-based solutions that touch all aspects of life experience (e.g., health, human services, housing, and transportation, among others).

We honor caregivers of all generations, particularly younger adults who have unique needs and experiences. Check out this Vox video and story on how millennial caregivers can be recognized, get informed, and feel supported.

Medicare Advantage plans now have the flexibility to offer special non-medical benefits for members with complex care needs. Read guiding principles on how these benefits can best support consumers and be sustainable. Also, hear from the National MLTSS (Managed Long-Term Services and Supports) Health Plan Association, one group who helped to develop these principles.

A report from the Bipartisan Policy Center shared recommendations on ways to expand Medicare benefits for those with complex care needs.

The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) recently highlighted the Medicare-Medicaid integration efforts of leading states.

A related toolkit from Center for Health Care Strategies, Inc., shares strategies states can implement when reforming their Medicaid long-term services and supports.

Most Americans want to age in place in their homes and community and are largely supported by family, friends, and neighbors. Learn what Minnesota is doing to ensure their publicly funded long-term services and supports (LTSS) also support older adults’ needs and preferences.

A new model in Memphis, Tenn., reduced emergency department visits nearly 70 percent and saved the health system more than $7 million by fostering secure and genuine connections between patients and providers.

Greater Good Studio heard from Californians across the state on what is important when designing a Master Plan for Aging. A final report, Elevating Voices, synthesizes their findings and recommendations.

Find more information about the Master Plan and related publications.

The Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) shared lessons learned from four hospitals that participated in a person-centered care pilot initiative.

As part of our Cal MediConnect evaluation, the latest University of California slide deck unpacks the effects of home- and community-based services (HCBS) for California dual eligibles.

A vast majority of Californians back Governor Newsom’s Executive Order calling for a Master Plan for Aging (Master Plan), according to a new voter poll from We Stand With Seniors.

Seven of 10 voters – nearly half of whom have caregiving experience – want the state to be held accountable for the Master Plan’s investment and implementation. Findings were shared at a Sacramento briefing this morning. See the related infographic.

Millions of older adults have chronic conditions and daily living needs. Starting in 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services allows Medicare Advantage (MA) health plans unprecedented flexibility to offer special supplemental benefits for chronically ill (SSBCI) enrollees.

Anne Tumlinson Innovations and the Long-Term Quality Alliance, with funding from TSF, gathered 30 industry leaders to develop guiding principles on how these benefits can best meet consumer needs and be sustainable.

Today, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report with recommendations on ways to expand supplemental benefits in Medicare, such as home-delivered meals, for those with complex care needs. Check out the Associated Press article.

Transportation can be a major obstacle for those who want to age in place, but do not drive. This AARP report, part of the 2017 Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) State Scorecard, details the value of and access to mobility managers.