CMS Improving Transitions Work Group

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) work group works to bring Medicaid and home and community-based services (HCBS) issues and perspective to, and provide input into all CMS assessment, discharge planning, and care transitions efforts, including:

1. Consumer Discharge Planning Checklist and Provider Support materials
2. Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Section Q - Wording in Section Q changed to ask questions directly to consumer/resident, identify residents for possible transition, and provide a mechanism for referral to Area Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), Centers for Independent Living (CIL), or State Medicaid agency
3. CARE Instrument - Development and testing of standard assessment instrument to be used across setting -
4. Care Transitions/Critical Pathways - Improve communication and care at point of discharge and immediately after discharge from one provider setting to another

LTCA is actively involved in this work group and believes in the outcomes that will be achieved through this collaborative effort.

Direct Care Alliance Partnership

The DCA's National Direct Care Partnership is a coalition of organizations and individuals who recognize the urgent need to improve long-term care by improving direct-care jobs. Made up of long-term care workers, consumers, and employees, as well as their friends, families and advocates.

We advocate for policies and regulations that will improve direct care jobs, thereby helping ensure that our nation has an adequate, well qualified direct care workforce. We focus primarily on national laws and policies but support state-based initiatives as well. For more information visit Direct Care Alliance.

The National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), conscious of the financial pressures facing states and the federal government, have developed a coordinated national long-term care strategy that will generate savings in Medicaid and Medicare. This strategy enables older adults and individuals with disabilities to get the support they need to successfully age where they want to -- in their own home and communities.

This program will empower individuals to make informed decisions and to better conserve and extend their own resources using lower cost evidence-based programs, including consumer-directed options for care in the community.

LTCA supports the intent and efforts of Project 2020. For more information, visit http://www.n4a.org/advocacy/campaigns/?fa=project-2020.