A new analysis by ATI Advisory shows that more Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are offering Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in 2022. Learn more about which plans are offering which benefits.
The Buzz
News on transforming care for older adults
Tagged in: `ltss`
January20 th
More states are interested in developing Master Plans for Aging (MPAs). Read New York’s announcement, and a recent blog highlighting a podcast on lessons learned in Colorado and Texas.
To advance MPA activities, the Center for Health Care Strategies seeks Letters of Intent for states to participate in a learning collaborative. The deadline for submission is Monday, January 31.
California’s MPA has inspired unprecedented levels of coordinated action across the state’s network of aging and disability providers, policymakers, researchers, and advocates. See what’s planned for 2022 and hear from Dr. Mohanty at Friday’s anniversary event.
January5 th
Through our partnerships with the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC), reporters are sharing the experiences of older adults living in community. The following coverage rounded out 2021:
- An article in The Washington Post explained how family caregivers are using monitoring technology to keep older loved ones with cognitive decline safe. The piece looked at related issues of affordability, access, and quality of care as well as ethical questions about privacy.
- How are older adults dealing with ongoing COVID-19 isolation? A Travel + Leisure article recounted one retiree’s experiences and train travels. A Next Avenue piece shared how an intergenerational program in San Francisco expanded its purpose to support older and younger people during the pandemic.
- Polling explored people’s opinions of telehealth and The Associated Press unpacked how preferences vary based on age, race and ethnicity, education, and income.
December16 th
Older adults can age well in their community of choice with proper supports and services. This can take the form of family, friends, neighbors, and even community centers where older adults can connect with people their own age. Watch as three older adults share their stories.
December8 th
A Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy brief highlights policy opportunities to advance home-based care for Medicare beneficiaries, and research explores leveraging payment reforms to support people with complex needs at home.
Finally, a report from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution shares insights on transforming our long-term care system.
Learn the who, what, where, and how of home and community-based services (HCBS) in a new fact sheet from AARP as part of a series on transforming long-term services and supports (LTSS) as part of the LTSS State Scorecard.
December1 st
Since COVID-19 emerged, Americans have had a lot of time to think about what they want their life to be like, including what it means to age well and equitably. Watch three older adults who are thriving at home in community with the support of loved ones.
This work is one example of how our communication partners give voice to issues of aging and support enhanced storytelling. Learn more.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many inefficiencies in the nation’s long-term care (LTC) system. A recent Health Affairs blog looks at the impact of payment policies on nursing facilities. Another discusses state approaches for stabilizing the direct care work force through American Rescue Plan Act funds.
November17 th
New research from Long-Term Quality Alliance (LTQA) and ATI Advisory offers insights and policy recommendations on Medicare Advantage (MA) nonmedical supplemental benefits. Learn about who is providing what services, and how the landscape has evolved.
- Progress report – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: Progress in Implementing Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits
- Policy brief – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: Policy Recommendations for the Biden Administration to Advance Nonmedical Supplemental Benefits
- Webinar recording – Delivering on the Promise of the CHRONIC Care Act: The Future of Medicare Advantage Supplemental Benefits
As we get older, the majority of us will need some nonmedical help to remain independent. Learn how our grantees are championing solutions to finance nonmedical needs and advance key Medicare-Medicaid flexibilities from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Our monthlong series explored aging and engaging with our health care and long-term care systems. We highlighted personal experiences of older Californians, consulted with experts, and captured visual summaries.
The Forum culminated with a poem written in real time bringing us back to the heart of the matter: What do we mean by “aging well” and “aging equitably”? View all the Forum recordings and resources.
November10 th
The Support and Services at Home (SASH) model meets people where they are, integrating housing with community-based services and health care to coordinate services. An article in Generations Today explores how SASH is being used in different states.
A recent Aging and Disability Business Institute profile explores Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore and My Care Family Accountable Care Organization (ACO) partnership. The alliance resulted in better health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries and the expansion of contracts to address social needs, including housing and nutrition.
October26 th
We hope you’ve enjoyed our virtual 2021 Forum: Amplifying All Voices in Aging. It’s not too late to watch previous weeks’ recordings and register for our final session!
Tomorrow, TSF President & CEO Sarita A. Mohanty will moderate a futurist discussion on how to reimagine and build a society where all populations can age well. We’re looking forward to hearing insights from experts in the fields of public health, media, and technology. In addition, we’ll recognize the recipient of our 2021 Innovation Award. See you there!
Journalists from the Investigative Reporting Program at UC Berkeley are sharing the experiences of older adults living in community through an equity lens. Recent coverage includes:
- ‘It Makes a Humongous Difference’: Lack of Wi-Fi in City Single-Room Occupancy Hotels Deepens Residents’ Isolation (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Hope and Disappointment for the Homeless in Oakland (The New York Times)
- ‘How Am I Going to Keep This Up?’ COVID Intensifies Plight of Family Caregivers (CalMatters)
Also, summer polling from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research (AP-NORC) showed Americans generally think their communities offer the services needed to age at home. Yet, people of color and people with lower incomes are less likely to report their area does a good job providing health care, transportation, and in-home supports, among other services.
Join ATI Advisory and Long-Term Quality Alliance on November 16 to hear the latest research insights and policy recommendations for nonmedical supplemental benefits in Medicare Advantage (MA).
October19 th
We hope you’re enjoying Amplifying All Voices in Aging each Wednesday in October. It’s not too late to watch previous weeks’ recordings and register for our third session!
Tomorrow, we will examine the temporary Medicare and Medicaid flexibilities enacted in response to COVID-19. Come consider what flexibilities should become permanent to achieve person-centered care for the future.
Medicare and Medicaid policy changes enabled during the pandemic can create a roadmap to better care for adults with complex needs. Learn more.
- Health Management Associates describes initial and ongoing Medicare and Medicaid adaptations enacted during the pandemic.
- Manatt Health examines how states are using policy flexibilities to improve long-term services and supports.
- Our June 2020 brief unpacks how the changes supported California applications of person-centered care.
- Convergence Center for Policy Resolution is working with national experts to reimagine the long-term care system and make it more affordable.
October12 th
We hope you’re enjoying our 2021 Forum: Amplifying All Voices in Aging. Our virtual series, Wednesdays in October, continues with a focus on supporting older adults and people with disabilities who have complex needs.
Tomorrow, join us to learn about applications of the core competencies created by the National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs (National Center). These competencies are helping the health care and social service sectors deliver team-based and person-centered care.
Register for this week’s panel!
October5 th
Amplifying All Voices in Aging is a four-week virtual series, every Wednesday in October, to share people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS).
On Wednesday, October 6, learn about the pressing issues facing California’s LTSS system, engage with leaders to better understand the state’s policy landscape through an equity lens, and consider where you can play a role.
It’s not too late to register!
September29 th
Amplifying All Voices in Aging is a four-week series to share people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Every Wednesday in October, we’ll hearfrom experts and stakeholders and discuss how to advance person-focused, policy-driven solutions to support older adults and families. Register today!
October 6 – Amplifying All Voices in LTSS Systems Transformation: California State of the State
For California’s older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers, the past year brought significant challenges, including equity issues magnified by COVID-19. The Master Plan for Aging demonstrates a commitment to addressing system issues and related inequities with transformation on the horizon through opportunities such as the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative. In this session…
October 13 – From Theory to Practice: Delivering Care for People with Complex Needs
Supporting older adults and people with disabilities who have complex needs can be challenging, but services have become more integrated and focused on a person’s goals. This makes it essential to enlist providers who can deliver person-centered care. The National Center for Complex Health & Social Needs created a set of core competencies for the health care and social service sectors. This session will provide…
October 20 – Transforming Medicare and Medicaid Beyond COVID-19 for a Person-Centered Future
While COVID-19 exposed problems in meeting the medical and nonmedical needs of older adults, the federal government allowed states and local providers substantial flexibilities in how care could be organized, delivered, and paid for through Medicare and Medicaid. This emergency response unveiled new ways to deliver care to those living with complex needs beyond what was previously imagined. In this session…
October 27 – A Future Vision for Aging Well and Equitably Beyond COVID: Reflections from Public Health, Media, and Technology Leaders
By 2034, the United States will have more older adults than children and increasing racial and ethnic diversity across the population. How do we reimagine and build an equitable society where all populations can age well, particularly in light of reshaped perspectives from the COVID-19 crisis? This discussion will include…
September22 nd
Read a new blog from ATI Advisory exploring how Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) and the Value-Based Insurance Design Model provide opportunities for Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to offer housing/rental support to their beneficiaries.
This year’s virtual Forum, Amplifying All Voices in Aging, is a four-week series sharing people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports. Each week we will hear from experts and stakeholders on a range of topics. View information on each session and register today!
Week 1
Amplifying All Voices in LTSS Systems Transformation: California State of the State (October 6)
Week 2
From Theory to Practice: Delivering Care for People with Complex Needs (October 13)
Week 3
Transforming Medicare and Medicaid Beyond COVID-19 for a Person-Centered Future (October 20)
September16 th
A wide range of Americans rely on long-term care (LTC) for help with daily living. Nearly half of all adults aged 65 today will need LTC at some point in their lives. Learn about current proposals for LTC that expand access to home- and community-based services (HCBS).
- Watch this week’s webinar addressing LTC affordability and current proposals to expand Medicaid HCBS.
- Read a new report from the Bipartisan Policy Center on how LTC can be made more affordable for people who do not qualify for Medicaid.
Read a new report from the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution that highlights LTC experts’ thoughts on rethinking care for older adults in light of COVID-19, and identifies key issues to address for LTC system transformation.
September9 th
This year’s virtual Forum, Amplifying All Voices in Aging, is a four-week series sharing people’s experiences engaging with health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS). Each week, we will hear from experts and stakeholders on a range of topics from the state of LTSS systems in California to transforming Medicare and Medicaid beyond COVID-19 for a person-centered future. View the agenda, and register today!
Enacted on July 12, California’s 2021-22 budget addresses longstanding system challenges impacting older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. Read our fact sheet to learn about key investments to support implementation of the Master Plan for Aging and California’s Home- and Community-Based Spending Plan.
