HHS awards $68M to help seniors, disabled navigate healthcare options
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced $68 million in grants to help seniors, the disabled and caregivers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options.
“We know how difficult it can be for individuals and caregivers to deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex healthcare system to figure out where to go to get appropriate help," said Sebelius. "The Affordable Care Act seeks to give people more control over their own care, while lowering healthcare costs and improving quality.”
The grants, part of the Affordable Care Act, are going to states, territories, tribal and community-based organizations. They will be administered collaboratively by the HHS’ Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The funds will be used to help seniors and individuals with disabilities and their caregivers understand their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, including coverage for preventive services; examine options for long-term care, including community-based services that can help individuals remain in their homes; and assist those transitioning from nursing or rehabilitation facilities back home.
Officials say the grants complement President Barack Obama’s “Community Living Initiative,” which focuses on serving individuals with disabilities who need ongoing services and support programs in the community.
Funds were available for states, area agencies on aging, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs); Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and tribal organizations. Grantees will focus on four areas to support seniors, individuals with disabilities and family caregivers:
- Medicare Outreach and Assistance in Low Income Programs and Prevention Grants: 50 states and territories and 125 tribal organizations will use the funds to provide outreach and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, including coverage for preventive services. Also, $5 million goes to the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment for technical assistance.
- ADRC Options Counseling Grants: 20 states will be funded to strengthen Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) options counseling and assistance programs for community-based health and long-term care services. Options counseling programs help people understand, evaluate and manage the full range of services and supports available in their community.
- ARDC Nursing Home Transition Through Money Follows the Person Grants: 22 states are being funded to strengthen the ADRC's role in the CMS Money Follows the Person program and support state Medicaid agencies as they transition individuals from nursing homes to community-based care.
- Evidence Based Care Transition Grants: 16 states will use funding to coordinate and encourage evidence-based care transition models which help older persons or persons with disabilities remain in their homes after a hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility stay.
“When it comes to long-term healthcare, each patient has a unique mix of medical and social needs that must be considered,” said CMS Administrator Donald Berwick. “Our healthcare system can offer many options to meeting those needs from traditional nursing home care to home and community-based services. Helping patients and their families understand these options will help them make informed decisions about long-term care that are in the patient’s best interests. These grants will help families make informed decisions and make sure patients have more control over their own care.”
Click here for a full list of grants.
