WASHINGTON, DC – ADvancing States is pleased to announce the release of a new issue brief, The Value of Pursuing Medicare-Medicaid Integration for Medicaid Agencies, developed in partnership with the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). This issue brief is the latest publication from the MLTSS Institute, which was established in 2016 to drive improvements in key managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) policy areas, facilitate sharing and learning among states, and provide direct and intensive technical assistance to states and health plans. This issue brief is also the first of three to be published in the next six months focused on aspects of delivering effective care to individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible beneficiaries).

Only about two-thirds of states have undertaken any activity to better integrate care for dually eligible beneficiaries; based on focus group discussions and interviews, states often cite the lack of value that accrues to the Medicaid program as a primary reason for their inaction. This issue brief aims to lay out the case for state Medicaid agencies to invest in integrated care programs, based on published research and data currently available.

Martha Roherty, ADvancing States Executive Director, believes this issue brief is sorely needed. “Our members have limited resources and need to marshal them for the highest-value activities. We are so pleased that this issue brief can provide them with evidence needed to prioritize efforts on behalf of dually-eligible beneficiaries.”

The research shows that integrated care makes a difference in:
• Increasing beneficiary satisfaction and quality of care;
• Reducing long-term services supports utilization and overall costs; and
• Managing Medicaid program data.

“States are increasingly considering ways they can address the unique and complex needs of dually eligible beneficiaries,” said Allison Hamblin, MSPH, CHCS President and CEO. “This brief summarizes key information that can help states make the case − both internally and externally − for investing in this important work.”
ADvancing States hopes that this issue brief will highlight the value that state Medicaid agencies can realize from investing the time and effort needed to bring the Medicare and Medicaid programs together in a productive way for dually eligible beneficiaries.

Read the issue brief here

Click here to open the full press release about this publication.

CONTACT: Camille Dobson, 202-898-2578