Two-Thirds of States Plan to Coordinate Care for Dual Eligibles

In the next two years, two-thirds of states are launching new initiatives to integrate Medicare and Medicaid services for dual eligibles, according to a new report by AARP and the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD). The report, based on a 2012 survey of officials from state Medicaid agencies and state aging and disability agencies, found that 34 states, including those participating in the Medicare and Medicaid Coordination Office’s (MMCO’s) financial alignment demonstrations, either currently have an integration program for dual eligibles or are planning to implement a program. The report also found that most integration programs will be broad statewide initiatives: 18 states either have or plan to implement a statewide duals integration program.

Delaware, Idaho, Minnesota and Massachusetts have already implemented some form of Medicare and Medicaid service delivery for dually eligible beneficiaries. Thirty additional states are planning to implement integrated Medicare and Medicaid services between now and 2014. While many of these states also submitted Letters of Intent to participate in the MMCO demonstration, state efforts to coordinate services for dual eligibles extend well beyond these demonstrations. For example, Delaware, Florida, New Jersey and New Hampshire, states that did not pursue participation in the MMCO demonstration, will use managed care, including managed long-term services and supports, to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid for duals. Other states have withdrawn their proposals to MMCO altogether, including Minnesota, Oregon, Tennessee and Hawaii.

Read the full report.