Home and Community Based Services
Technical Assistance Collective Releases Report on American Rescue Plan HCBS Evaluations

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Technical Assistance Collective, a grant-funded group of organizations focused on supporting state Medicaid agencies implement the HCBS ARPA spending plan initiatives, released a report that summarizes state activities to evaluate the ARPA activities. The report is largely theoretical and focuses on the evaluation activities, […]
Read MoreCMS Releases Data on American Rescue Plan Spending

On December 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released information on how State Medicaid Agencies have used the enhanced funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to the CMS data: The full dataset is available online at: https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/arp-sec9817-overview-infographic_0.pdf.
Read MoreWhite House Hosts Event on American Rescue Plan HCBS Funding

On December 12, 2023, the White House hosted an event dedicated to enhanced funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The discussion focused heavily on the benefits of the ARPA funding to direct care workers and on the state use of funds to increase wages. Presenters frequently referred to […]
Read MoreCMS Releases Data on American Rescue Plan Spending

On December 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released information on how State Medicaid Agencies have used the enhanced funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to the CMS data: The full dataset is available online at: https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/arp-sec9817-overview-infographic_0.pdf.
Read MoreCMS Issues Guidance on Direct Care Worker Registries

On December 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin on the development of Direct Care Worker Registries. Although CMS’ guidance does not include any new policy, it reminds states of the ability to develop these registries and use them as tools to support workforce retention, recruitment, and credentialing. […]
Read MoreCMS Issues Guidance on Direct Care Worker Registries

On December 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an informational bulletin on the development of Direct Care Worker Registries. Although CMS’ guidance does not include any new policy, it reminds states of the ability to develop these registries and use them as tools to support workforce retention, recruitment, and credentialing. […]
Read MoreWhite House Hosts Event on American Rescue Plan HCBS Funding

On December 12, 2023, the White House hosted an event dedicated to enhanced funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The discussion focused heavily on the benefits of the ARPA funding to direct care workers and on the state use of funds to increase wages. Presenters frequently […]
Read MoreCMS Releases Data on American Rescue Plan Spending

On December 12, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released information on how State Medicaid Agencies have used the enhanced funding for home and community-based services (HCBS) provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). According to the CMS data: The full dataset is available online at: https://www.medicaid.gov/sites/default/files/2023-12/arp-sec9817-overview-infographic_0.pdf.
Read More10 Reasons to be Thankful for Home Care & Hospice

More people die from chronic disease than from acute disease. What this suggests is that the future will be about the management of chronic disease and not acute illness. The number of people going into hospitals will be fewer and they will spend less time there. What will increase by geometric progressions is the number […]
Read MoreMACPAC Examines Medicaid HCBS Policy and Payment

On Friday, November 3rd, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission discussed two important issues related to home and community-based services (HCBS). First, the Commission examined the statutory and regulatory requirements placed on the variety of HCBS authorities, including 1915(c) waivers, 1915(i), 1915(k), and 1915(j). The discussion focused on how the requirements, such as […]
Read MoreNAHC/AARP 2023 LTSS State Scorecard

AARP recently released the 2023 update to their nationally renowned State Long-term Services and Supports Scorecard (https://ltsschoices.aarp.org/scorecard-report/2023). The LTSS Scorecard, a first of its kind, assesses and ranks various components of the 50 states and District of Columbia in five key areas: The scorecard is a powerful tool for providers, policymakers, and stakeholders to use […]
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