Over the last year, our state partners have hosted Town Hall Conversations across the country to hear members talk about their pain points and ideas about future directions. The goal of these conversations is to gather input for our public policy priorities for the upcoming year. But the Town Halls serve another important purpose: to identify issues that we can act on immediately.
Managed care is one of the issues that has risen to the top of that list.
In the coming days, we are launching the LeadingAge Center for Managed Care Solutions & Innovation to address both Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicaid Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) and related challenges. Our objective is to help members cope with immediate concerns as well as enable them to understand and participate in new program and financing approaches that integrate primary and acute care, post-acute care, and long-term services and supports.
It is highly unlikely our health care systems will ever return to an entirely fee for service model. More than a third of Medicare beneficiaries are now in MA, with much higher penetration in some parts of the country. In states that use MLTSS—right now 41 programs operate in 24 states, with rapidly trending growth—LeadingAge members, and those we serve, have everything to gain by carving out a positive, proactive role in these new systems.
Resources Across the Spectrum
LeadingAge represents organizations across the spectrum of aging services. And, increasingly, these organizations are seeking ways to diversify their services to accommodate more people in different ways.
For example, nursing home members, as well as housing, home health, and other community-based services members, are all telling us that they need tools, information, and support to address the increasing numbers of residents/post-acute care users who are enrolled in managed care. Their residents and clients are enrolling in MA and their states are moving to MLTSS. In addition, PACE programs and others serving individuals who are dually eligible have a strong interest in this evolving marketplace.
The new Center points to ways we can help members, regardless of the services they provide. It’s also a place for members to teach and learn from one another.
What will the Center do?
Post-launch, the Center will offer a variety of resources for members at various points in their managed care journeys.
- Materials specially targeted to the characteristics and needs of LeadingAge members to provide basic background on MA and Medicaid MLTSS
- A detailed glossary of managed care terminology
- Fact sheets and issue briefs on a variety of different topics related to managed care
- Webinars and other offerings in the LeadingAge Learning Hub
- Summaries of important articles published by researchers, noting what’s relevant for our members
Your Voice in Washington, DC
The Center serves another critical purpose: It is the launching pad for our advocacy work. What we learn and discover from you and others along the way will help inform our policy positions as we advocate for your interests before Congress and the Administration. In turn, we’ll continue to provide regular and timely updates to members about current policy developments.
Keeping the Center Alive and Fresh
One key goal of the new Center is to highlight the important role aging and LTSS providers play in modern health care systems. In addition to providing direct services to members, we will frequently add new resources. The Center will be guided by an advisory group of members who have been working with managed care for some time; these members know the challenges and pitfalls and can offer guidance to ensure the Center delivers on its promise.
The Center for Managed Care Solutions & Innovations will be led by Nicole Fallon, vice president of health policy and integrated services.
Moving Forward
Once you’ve had a chance to explore the Center’s offerings, take a moment to send us your feedback. We want to ensure that we are meeting your expectations and, ultimately, helping your organization thrive in this increasingly complicated and challenging landscape.
Email managedcare@leadingage.org with questions and comments!
Warmly,
Katie