Trendy Topic: Spotlight Again on MLTSS with New NASUAD Report

ANCOR is sharing the announcement below by the National Association of State United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) because managed long-term supports and services (MLTSS) are increasingly including services for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD). ANCOR members who want to learn more about MLTSS specific to the I/DD space could be interested in our white paper on this topic as an additional resource.

As shared by NASUAD:

“The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is pleased to announce the release of a new report, Collaborating on HCBS Workforce Challenges in MLTSS Programs , co-authored with the Sage Squirrel Consulting, LLC.

The report is the third publication from the MLTSS Institute, which was established in 2016 to drive improvements in key MLTSS policy areas, facilitate sharing and learning among states, and provide direct and intensive technical assistance to states and health plans.  

This report identifies the challenges and promising practices in addressing the mismatch between supply and demand for direct care workers in long term services and supports programs, all viewed through the lens of MLTSS programs. States that operate a MLTSS program have a potential partner in meeting the needs of HCBS participants for timely and high quality direct care workers, but clear expectations and policies will help better realize that potential. The report looks at this challenge from three unique aspects:

• Network adequacy
• Rates and reimbursement and
• Quality

Martha Roherty, NASUAD Executive Director, believes this report will add to the body of writing about this challenge by exploring the value that a MLTSS delivery system can add to a state’s effort. “Our members continually cite HCBS workforce shortages as a key concern, which our health plan partners share. While promising practices are nascent, we are very pleased to highlight the key issues for consideration and identify ways that states and their contracted health plans can improve the workforce available to serve HCBS participants.”

It also highlights the need for improved data to better quantify trends and impacts on LTSS programs.  

We were pleased to partner with NASUAD on this paper” said Yonda Snyder of Sage Squirrel Consulting. “Workforce issues impact how people access and experience HCBS. Direct care work is the fastest growing occupation in the country. Meeting these challenges will require a sustained and collaborative effort by states, health plans, and providers.”

NASUAD hopes that this report will expand the body of knowledge on this most challenging topic as well as spur additional research and data collection. 

Read the report here.”