Skip to main content
SHADAC | State Health Access Data Assistance Center
CONNECT WITH US
VISIT STATE HEALTH COMPARE
  • ABOUT US
    Contact Us
    Featured Projects
    Our Team
  • OUR EXPERTISE
    State and Federal Health Policy
    Medicaid and CHIP Policy
    Delivery and Payment System Reform
    Health Coverage and Access to Care
    Health Care Cost and Affordability
    Health Equity
    Social Determinants
    Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluation
    Data Analytics and Visualization
    State and Federal Surveys
    Population Health
  • BLOG & NEWS
    SHADAC Blog
    Newsletter
    In the Media
    Social Media
  • PUBLICATIONS
    Reports & Briefs
    Journal Articles
    Presentations
    Infographics
    Emerging Research Topics
  • STATE PROFILES
  • ABOUT US
    Contact UsFeatured ProjectsOur Team
  • OUR EXPERTISE
    State and Federal Health PolicyMedicaid and CHIP PolicyDelivery and Payment System ReformHealth Coverage and Access to CareHealth Care Cost and AffordabilityHealth EquitySocial DeterminantsQuantitative and Qualitative EvaluationData Analytics and VisualizationState and Federal SurveysPopulation Health
  • BLOG & NEWS
    SHADAC BlogNewsletterIn the MediaSocial Media
  • PUBLICATIONS
    Reports & BriefsJournal ArticlesPresentationsInfographicsEmerging Research Topics
  • STATE PROFILES
ADVANCED SEARCH
DIG DEEPER
  • to
Search By Category
SHADAC | State Health Access Data Assistance Center
  • Search
  • View Menu
  • State Health Compare

Publication

author
Lynn A. Blewett
PhD, MA , Principal Investigator

p 612-624-4802
e blewe001@umn.edu

linkedin
twitter
facebook

SHADAC Article in Journal of Aging & Social Policy Urges States to Use COVID-19 Flexible Medicaid Authority for LTSS Eligibility

In response to the current public health emergency presented by COVID-19, especially the health risks pertaining to low-income older adults and disabled persons, states have been given new authority with regard to Medicaid in order to ease traditional complications and restrictions surrounding eligibility. A new article from SHADAC Director and UMN School of Public Health Professor Lynn A. Blewett, PhD, and SHADAC Research Fellow Robert Hest, MPP, focuses specifically on how this state-level Medicaid program flexibility, along with recent emergency waivers, can expand Medicaid financial eligibility for long-term supports and services (LTSS) for these at-risk individuals.

Traditionally, Medicaid LTSS eligibility criteria for states (though federal standards are also a key component) have been based on financial rules and functional needs assessments. Due to complexities surrounding these eligibility requirements, many beneficiaries are at risk of losing coverage throughout the year. Under public health emergency authority granted to states during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, mechanisms such as state plan amendments (SPAs), section 1115 and 1135 waivers, and 1915(c) Appendix K can be used by states to ease these difficulties and ensure that eligible individuals get coverage, including:

  • Reducing administrative burdens for applicants
  • Streamlining eligibility redeterminations
  • Extending deadlines to conduct evaluations/assessments
  • Temporarily suspending authorization requirements
  • Relaxing eligibility requirements

While states are adopting these flexible measures to expand eligibility, they are simultaneously facing increasing pressures to curb state spending as budgets are constrained during the pandemic. Medicaid spending, most especially for LTSS, is a prime target for cuts as it accounts for a large majority of states’ budgets. However, the article argues that LTSS provided by Medicaid is an essential service for low-income older adults and disabled individuals who are at particular risk from COVID-19, and therefore it is critical that eligibility and flexibility be maintained in order to meet the increasing demand for services created by the coronavirus.

Read the full article in the Journal of Aging & Social Policy.

facebook
twitter
linkedin
google plus
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
University of Minnesota
The State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) is a program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a part of the Health Policy and Management Division of the School of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.
©2002-2023 Regents of the University of Minnesota. All rights reserved. The University of Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy

Stay Up To Date

Join our mailing list to receive the SHADAC newsletter and news and events announcements from SHADAC.


SUBSCRIBE
  • SHADAC on Twitter
  • Email SHADAC
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy