An interactive and informative listening session, hosted by CDC’s Dr. Carolyn Bridges, explored current issues in the COVID vaccination roll-out for older adults in the community and in residential settings. Dr. Bridges began the call with what she called ‘ground level’ facts and known issues related to the organization and distribution of vaccines to those in the 1A category across states.
In summary, these facts and known issues included:
On March 13, CMS issued a memo that drastically changed the way nursing homes operated. In response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, CMS directed nursing homes to restrict all visitors to the nursing home, including non-essential visiting healthcare workers, “except for certain compassionate care situations.” CMS went on to further direct nursing homes to cancel all communal dining and group activities.
Specifically, for tests or services on or after March 18 through the national emergency period, MAOs are required to cover the following without cost sharing to the plan enrollee:
Who can apply?
Much of the proposed changes seek to convert CMS existing and past sub-regulatory guidance and practices into regulation. By doing this, CMS provides a little more certainty to plans and providers that certain positions, approaches and policies of the agency will remain in force until a rule change is made through the prescribed process instead of simply a change in decision by the agency. It also seeks to clarify in regulation how certain issues have been addressed in practice but for which there is no clear law or regulation that supports the practice.
A SNP model could help life plan communities influence outcomes of care for residents over time.
A number of LeadingAge members are asking that question. In response, the Center for Managed Care Solutions & Innovations at LeadingAge compiled observations and advice from several sources, including consultants who specialize in this area and members that are pursuing or have implemented their own SNP strategy. The main takeaway: There appears to be agreement that a successful SNP strategy is all about the numbers, your market, and your ability to change care delivery patterns.
On Wednesday, November 20, the Senate Finance Committee, Subcommittee on Health Care held a hearing entitled, “Alzheimer’s Awareness: Barriers to Diagnosis, Treatment and Care Coordination.” Subcommittee Chair Patrick Toomey (R-PA) and ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) timed the hearing to coincide with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
Whatever model the consortium aligns around will be presented to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) for its approval and implementation.
