Webinar: Dual-Eligible Payment Reforms – Evaluation Findings from the CMS Financial Alignment Demonstration

A joint Interest Group webinar with the Disability Research IG and the Long Term Services & Supports IG

Background
The Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) and Innovation Center at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) created the Financial Alignment Initiative to test integrated care and financing models for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees (often referred to as dual eligibles). The goal of these demonstrations is to develop person-centered care delivery models integrating medical, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports (LTSS) for Medicare-Medicaid enrollees, with the expectation that integrated delivery models would address current challenges associated with the coordination of Medicare and Medicaid benefits. CMS has contracted with RTI International to monitor the implementation of these demonstrations, evaluate their impacts on the beneficiary’s experience, monitor unintended consequences, and assess the demonstrations’ impact on a range of outcomes for the eligible population and for special sub-groups (e.g., people with mental illness and/or substance use disorders, LTSS users). To achieve these goals, RTI is collecting qualitative and quantitative data from the States each quarter; analyzing Medicare and Medicaid enrollment and claims data; conducting site visits, beneficiary focus groups, and interviews; and reviewing relevant findings from beneficiary surveys conducted by other entities.

Overview
This webinar provides an overview of the demonstrations, and present highlights from the evaluation, including key findings and methodological challenges. It is an introductory level course for health service researchers at all stages of their careers, public and population health professionals, and those from the policy arena interested in learning more about payment reforms and evaluation methods.

Abstract
In this webinar, Jennifer Baron provides an overview and update on the demonstrations under the Financial Alignment Initiative. Then, Daniel Lehman provides a summary of demonstration evaluation activities. Finally, Angela Greene and Wayne Anderson present key findings from the evaluation and discuss methodological challenges.

Watch Online

Date: Thursday, November 10, 2016

Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET

Faculty: Edie Walsh, Ph.D., RTI (moderator); Jennifer Baron Ph.D., CMS; Daniel Lehman, Ph.D., CMS Angela M Greene, MS, M.B.A. and Wayne Anderson, Ph.D. 

Wayne L. Anderson is a senior health analyst in RTI International’s Division of Research on Healthcare Value, Equity, and the Lifespan. His research focuses on long-term care financing, organizational, and workforce issues; disability; people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid; managed care arrangements; and consumer knowledge.

Jennifer Baron is a senior advisor with the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The office was created by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 to improve services for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. Prior to joining CMS, Jennifer led the health care team at the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School where she oversaw health care research, consulting, and curriculum development. She holds an MBA and an MPH from Yale University, and a BA from Georgetown University.

Daniel Lehman is a social science research analyst with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. At CMMI, Daniel has worked on program evaluation and model implementation. Prior to joining CMS, he worked as a marketing research consultant for the pharmaceutical industry. Daniel holds a doctoral degree from Temple University.

Angela Greene is a director in RTI International’s Aging, Disability and Long Term Care program and associate project director of the CMS-funded evaluation of the demonstrations under the Financial Alignment Initiative.  Her research focuses on people who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid; and issues in long-term care, including residential care, and community-based services.

Edie Walsh is the director of the RTI Aging, Disability and Long Term Care program and the director of the CMS-funded evaluation of demonstrations under the Financial Alignment Initiative.  She is a nationally recognized expert on Medicare/Medicaid dual eligible, managed care and long-term care delivery systems, and health and functional status measurement for persons with chronic conditions and disabilities.