Proposed HCBS rule could diminish service access, hamper provider retention efforts, 11 senators tell...
By
Lois A. Bowers
Feb 20, 2024
A proposed federal rule that would require providers of home- and community-based services to spend at least 80% of the Medicaid payments they receive for personal care, homemaker and home health aide...
CMS-proposed HCBS rules elicit request for extension of comment period from 5 associations
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 22, 2023
The executive directors of five national organizations are asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to extend by at least 30 days the comment periods for two proposed rules related to access...
Assisted living mental health services fell between 2019 and 2020, study finds
By
Kristen Fischer
Apr 25, 2024
Mental health visits for assisted living residents living with dementia dropped as the pandemic set in, a new study finds.
Tweaking Medicaid eligibility criteria would benefit vulnerable older adults ‘tremendously’
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Apr 27, 2023
Findings from new research at the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston dispel policymaker fears that adding more recipients to the Medicaid program by using alternative eligibility criteria would bankrupt...
Medicaid LTSS spending continues shift toward HCBS for older adults
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Oct 23, 2023
Medicaid long-term services and supports spending continues to shift toward home- and community-based services, including services provided in assisted living communities, according to two new reports...
More than 6 years later, GAO still looking for CMS to act on assisted living recommendation
By
Lois A. Bowers
Mar 19, 2024
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services still has not taken action on a recommendation made by the US Government Accountability Office in a January 2018 report on assisted living, the GAO said in...
Provider group seeks 2-year moratorium on HCBS settings rule enforcement
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jul 13, 2023
A new white paper from LeadingAge recommends a two-year enforcement moratorium on the federal government’s home- and community-based services settings final rule, saying that it is flawed policy.
Providers need funding to improve Medicaid HCBS access, quality, advocates say
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 01, 2023
Senior living advocates are applauding steps announced by the federal government to ensure equitable access to home- and community-based services provided via the Medicaid program, but they say that funding...
Coming end of COVID-19 PHE brings concerns about senior living effects
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Feb 14, 2023
The May 11 end of the COVID-19 public health emergency — and the flexibilities it provided — means many potential changes for providers of Medicaid home- and community-based services. And those changes...
Fear, mistrust prevent residents in Medicaid-funded assisted living communities from having their mental...
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
May 11, 2023
Fear of losing autonomy and mistrust of providers lead to unmet mental health needs of residents in Medicaid-funded assisted living communities, according to the results of a new study.