In this webinar, we demonstrate CareAcademy's end-to-end Spanish user experience, enabling Spanish-speaking caregivers to engage with our […]
On Nov. 30, 2023, CareAcademy and HealthTech 4 Medicaid (HT4M) hosted "State of Medicaid: Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) Edition," featuring Admika Arthur, Executive Director of HealthTech 4 Medicaid; Helen Adeosun, CEO and Founder of CareAcademy; Narda Ipakchi, Vice President of Policy at The SCAN Foundation; and Patti Killingsworth, Chief Strategy Officer at CareBridge.
The webinar dove into the complex landscape of LTSS, addressing challenges, exploring innovative solutions, and emphasizing the crucial role of collaboration in reshaping the future of caregiving and care services.
Navigating the Complexities of LTSS & Medicaid
Our speakers discussed the intricate landscape of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) within the context of Medicaid, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. They illuminated LTSS's nuanced nature, emphasizing the limited coverage guarantees for specific Medicaid populations as well as the state-by-state variations in coverage. They also detailed how the evolving LTSS system, especially post COVID-19, is marked by concerns for both strategic investments and workforce shortages. But as states reevaluate benefit structures, they are also exploring inclusive workforce approaches and embracing innovative health technology solutions, a great opportunity for positive impact.
Speakers additionally raised that with the formidable cost of LTSS, policymakers are encountering hurdles in championing its widespread adoption. And while the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) offers a temporary but impactful Medicaid funding boost, economic impact and need for transformative approaches through education, incentivized family-caregiving roles, and collaborative policy changes are more critical now than ever.
Federal LTSS Reforms
Speakers addressed why major federal reforms on Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) have yet to materialize, despite widespread agreement on the issue's importance. Barriers, such as hesitancy to allocate necessary expenditures or to redirect resources effectively, could be contributing factors preventing substantial federal reforms from taking place.
An opportunity for innovation on the federal level presented by our speakers included advocating for the seamless integration of home and community-based services into existing LTSS structures. This model has the potential to be a more efficient approach to service delivery, especially for dual eligibles. Not only would it help address substantial cost and resource allocation challenges, but also help to enhance care access and to create a more comprehensive and flexible system on the federal level.
Forging Collaborative Pathways
Our speakers also explored the pivotal role of public-private partnerships in addressing the challenges of Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), emphasizing the critical need for collaboration between government agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) money that is being provided during Medicaid Redetermination, for example, has encouraged states and community-based organizations to collaborate with new entrants for outreach efforts. This work exemplifies how even financial mechanisms can serve as pivotal points for forging connections and encouraging collaborative pathways in the LTSS space.
Empowering Caregivers
Supporting caregiving at scale is additionally critical to consider when exploring innovative solutions for enhanced LTSS models. Our speakers emphasized that addressing the needs of caregivers, especially those impacted by Medicaid Redetermination, can be accomplished through means such as providing valuable resources or fostering a community-centric approach to the caregiving system.
CareAcademy exemplifies this important work by envisioning inventive solutions that bridge caregiver shortage gaps, including advocating for value-based care arrangements and establishing caregiver support networks that prioritize comprehensive training, accessible tools, and expert guidance.
Continuing to Move the Needle Together
Ready to impact the future of LTSS and caregiving? Your voice matters! If you’re interested in potentially partnering with CareAcademy, book a demo here.