LeadingAge has given additional to the Senate Finance Committee's bipartisan Chronic Care Working Group on making chronic care services more accessible and affordable.
The working group issued an options paper in December, discussing a variety of Medicare issues relating to chronic care and soliciting further comment from stakeholders.
In response, LeadingAge discussed ways to build on the Independence at Home program; concerns about folding hospice coverage into Medicare Advantage plans; supplemental benefits for Medicare Advantage enrollees; and expanding innovation and the application of technology.
We reiterated our view that while improving Medicare coverage would be helpful, effective chronic care involves a wide array of other services not covered by Medicare. We continued to encourage legislators to take a more comprehensive view of the long-term services and supports that people with chronic health conditions need.