Massachusetts

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Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid: Characteristics, Health Care Spending, and Evolving Policies

This issue brief uses the most recent comprehensive data, from 2009, to examine the characteristics and costs of dual-eligible beneficiaries. The report also examines the different payment systems that Medicare and Medicaid use to fund care for dual-eligible beneficiaries and recent efforts at the federal and state levels to integrate those payment systems and coordinate the care between both programs. Given the high cost of dual-eligibles, legislative solutions are reviewed.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53408

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Characteristics and Service Use of Medicaid Buy-In Participants with Higher Incomes: A Descriptive Analysis

Few employer-sponsored and private insurance plans offer the range of services that workers with disabilities may need. Medicaid Buy-In programs are a viable option that allows these workers to receive needed services without spending down for Medicaid. This report describes findings from a study of characteristics and service utilization of higher-income enrollees compared to regular Medicaid enrollees. Providing these programs may keep higher-income workers with disabilities employed.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53407

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Behavioral Health Treatment Needs Assessment Toolkit for States

In an effort to assist state agencies in planning for the specific behavioral health needs of emerging populations in their state, this toolkit provides state and national estimates of behavioral health disorders and program utilization, as well as step-by-step instructions to generate projections of health benefits, services and providers that will need to be addressed in the future. This resource can be helpful for mental health and substance use agencies, health plans, and Medicaid agencies.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53405

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Financial Alignment Demonstrations for Dual Eligible Beneficiaries Compared: States with Memoranda of Understanding Approved by CMS

This policy brief provides a comparison of CMS’ finalized memoranda of understanding with California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia to test a capitated model and with Washington to test a managed fee-for-service (FFS) model to integrate care and align financing for dual-eligibles. These 2013 demonstrations will introduce changes in the care delivery systems and will test a new system of payments and financing arrangements among CMS, the states and providers.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53397

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A State-by-State Snapshot of Poverty Among Seniors: Findings from Analysis of the Supplemental Poverty Measure

The Census Bureau created the supplemental poverty measure, in an effort to differently reflect cost of living and financial status from the "official" measure. Poverty rates among older adults are higher under the supplemental poverty measure (15%) than under the official poverty measure (9%). This analysis does a state-by-state comparison using both poverty measures to describe seniors living in poverty. An understanding of elder financial hardship is important for fiscal policy debate.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53396

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At the Crossroads: Providing Long-Term Services and Supports at a Time of High Demand and Fiscal Constraint

A survey of state aging, disability and Medicaid agencies was conducted in 2012, in order to better understand challenges and concerns for funding and providing quality LTSS. Five common themes were identified in this report, including staff turnover and reductions during a sluggish recovery of state budgets. Other findings include an overall expansion of home and community-based services, LTSS transformation and reduced funding and high demand for non-Medicaid aging and disability services.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53391

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The Continuity of Medicaid Coverage: An Update

This report describes research conducted on the continuity of enrollment of Medicaid beneficiaries. Continuous enrollment in a health insurance plan promotes chronic disease management and is more cost-effective. The research found that Medicaid beneficiaries are on average enrolled in the program for just 9.7 months out of the year. This disruption in enrollment leads to higher monthly medical costs and interferes with efforts to measure quality of care delivered through Medicaid.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53389

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A Profile of Older Americans: 2012

This annual summary uses information from the US Census Bureau, the National Center for Health Care Statistics, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics to display the demographic shift, as well as the health, geographic distribution and economic changes of those over 65 in the United States. This report found that 13.3 percent of the population is 65 and older, but this demographic is expected to grow to 21 percent by 2040. Changes from previous summaries are analyzed and projections are made.

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53380

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AIRS Standards and Quality Indicators for Professional Information and Referral - 7th edition

What are the current realities, practices and needs of the I&R field? The Version 7.0 of the AIRS Standards is a comprehensive upgrade to the guide that offers foundation and credentialing outlines. Some of the changes from the previous version are relatively minor such as modifications in the wording of the Standard or relocation of a Quality Indicator to another Standard, to add clarity. In addition to these changes, there is the creation of a new Technology Standard (Standard 25).

Short URL: http://www.advancingstates.org/node/53374

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