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CAADS PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING -- The New IPC for ADHC/CBAS
NOV 15 | INFORMATION / REGISTRATION FORM (Fill-in / Write-on)
Meeting Site/Lodging: Anaheim Marriott Suites | Garden Grove
Room Rate: $115, plus taxes | Room Reservations Deadline: 10/25/16

CAADS FALL CONFERENCE -- The Quality Imperative
NOV 16-18 | BROCHURE | REGISTRATION FORM (Fill-in / Write-on)
CE Order Form (Fill-in / Write-on) | Gift Basket Raffle Donor Form
Meeting Site/Lodging: Anaheim Marriott Suites | Garden Grove
Room Rate: $115, plus taxes | Room Reservations Deadline: 10/25/16

CBAS CERTIFICATION FOR NEW ADHC CENTERS
The CA Department of Aging (CDA) requires a pre-screening process for prospective applicants interested in being certified to provide Community Based Adult Services (CBAS). To learn more, click on What Are Adult Day Services on the navigation bar above, then scroll to the Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) section. To learn about CAADS membership, click here.

HELP II LOAN PROGRAM -- Affordable Capital
The HELP II Loan Program, administered by the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) within the State Treasurer’s Office, offers low cost loans to assist eligible health facilities wanting to expand and improve services to their clients and the greater community. Learn more at www.treasurer.ca.gov/chffa/programs/help.

What's New . . . September 20, 2016

CBAS Updates September 2016

September 19, 2016 | Source: California Department of Aging (CDA), Community Based Adult Services Branch (CBAS)

CBAS Revised Draft Individual Plan of Care (IPC) and Quality Strategy – Now Posted on CDA Website for Review and Comment

View Update

Registration for CAADS November Events Now Open!

Join us at the Anaheim Marriott Suites in Garden Grove for:

CAADS PRE-CONFERENCE TRAINING - NOV 15 - The New IPC for ADHC / CBAS
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Pacific) - Registration begins at 8:30 AM
INFO / REGISTRATION FORM (Fill-in / Write-on)

CAADS FALL CONFERENCE & ANNUAL MEMBERS MEETING - The Quality Imperative
NOV 16: CAADS Annual Membership Meeting -- for Members Only
NOV 17 & 18: Educational Courses, Keynote Speakers and More!
BROCHURE | REGISTRATION FORM (Fill-in / Write-on)
CE Order Form (Fill-in / Write-on) | Gift Basket Raffle Donor Form

Anaheim Marriott Suites Lodging Deadline OCT 25 | CAADS Group Rate: $115 Sgl/Dbl, plus taxes

New Video
HOME: The Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center and Residence

SEPT 2, 2016 | Bayview Senior Services | David Baker Architects | Video [2:59 min]
CREDITS: A Rebus Project Production in association with Videografiko

The Dr. George Davis Senior Building will feature 121 one- and two-bedroom affordable rental apartments for seniors. The building and its neighborhood-serving senior community center round out a quartet of buildings creating a diverse urban community along San Francisco's rapidly developing Third Street Corridor. Integrating senior housing into a mixed-use micro-neighborhood adds a multi-generational aspect and prevents seniors from living in isolation. The building received more than 4,000 applications for its 121 units, highlighting the need for affordable senior housing in the area.

The five-story apartment building will house common areas and property management offices as well as sitting, dining, and exercise rooms. Above, informal lounges and laundry areas will dot the residential floors.The at-grade senior center will provide senior services, two conference rooms, a kitchen, lounges, and staff offices.

If you like this video, click here to VOTE for HOME for the People's Choice Award! To learn more about the Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center and Residence, click here.

Cal Duals Update -- AUGUST 2016

SEPT 1, 2016 (PDF) (Word) | CalDuals.org

Webinar Registration Now Open: How to Help Protect Your Participants from Medicare Scams and Fraud

WEBINAR DATE: SEPT 15, 2016 | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM (Pacific) | Host: CAADS
CAADS Member REGISTRATION -- On Members Only Page: No Charge
Underwritten by Senior Medicare Patrol
Non-member REGISTRATION -- Write-On Form / Fill-In Form $49 per registrant

Medicare is a hot target for identity theft, fraud and abuse. Dual Eligible beneficiaries are vulnerable to illegal schemes and scams because of poor health literacy; cognitive conditions; poverty; language and cultural barriers to care. This interactive webinar will describe common Medicare fraud and abuse tactics so you learn to recognize them, proivde you access to tools for educating your participants and families, and explain how to report suspicious activity to authorities. We will also discuss the need to have policies and procedures in place for security of your facility to protect against illegal Medicare Advantage recruitment on your premises.

Presenters:
Micki Nozaki, Project Director for the Senior Medicare Patrol program
Julie Lowrie, JD, Investigator, Office of Enforcement, California Department of Managed Care

Who Should Attend:
Owners, Administrators, Executive Directors, Program Directors, Compliance Officers

New Podcast
Collage: South County Adult Day Services (SCADS)

AUG 29, 2016 | South County Adult Day Services | KSBR 88.5 | Podcast [30:12 min]

KSBR News Director Dawn Kamber welcomes South County Adult Day Services Program Director Glen Goldsmith and Executive Director Mallory Vega.

South County Adult Day Services strives to enhance the lives of seniors and disabled adults. The organization was started by Age Well Senior Services over 20 years ago, and was recently sold to Alzheimer's Orange County, which operates the program.

CMS Requests Information on Medicare / Medicaid Beneficiary Steering

AUG 31, 2016 | Justice in Aging Health Network Alert

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a Request for Information to learn if health care providers and provider-affiliated organizations are steering people eligible for or receiving Medicare and/or Medicaid into individual Marketplace plans. If providers and provider-affiliated organizations are doing this so they can obtain higher payment rates, CMS wants to hear from the public about circumstances in which steering may be taking place and the extent of such practices. If you have clients who have experienced steering, tell CMS.

Background: CMS reports hearing anecdotal reports that individuals who are eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits are receiving premium and other cost-sharing assistance from a provider-affiliated organization so that the individual can enroll in individual Marketplace plans for the provider’s financial benefit. In some cases, a health care provider or organization may estimate that the higher payment rate from an individual Marketplace plan compared to Medicare or Medicaid is sufficient to allow it to pay a patient’s premiums and still financially gain from the higher reimbursement rates.

This practice can hurt beneficiaries. For example, people eligible for Medicare who postpone enrollment because they join Marketplace plans may face lifelong late enrollment penalties. Those eligible for Medicaid may also lose protections from illegal billing.

Next steps:

• Read the questions that CMS has asked.
• If you have information to share, go here to write a comment at www.regulations.gov, referencing CMS-6074-NC.

The deadline for comments is September 22, 2016.

CCI Update

AUG 30, 2016 | California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)

We are pleased to announce that the following resources are now available: the new Cal MediConnect Beneficiary Toolkit and an updated CCI Physician Toolkit.

New Cal MediConnect Toolkit for Beneficiaries

Robust beneficiary outreach and education are a core part of the design and implementation of the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) and Cal MediConnect.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) developed the Cal MediConnect Beneficiary Toolkit to support beneficiaries as well as serve as a resource for health plans, advocates, and community organizations (including Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Programs [HICAPs] and the Ombudsman) that engage directly with beneficiaries.

This reader-friendly toolkit provides useful information for dual-eligible beneficiaries who are examining their health care options. The toolkit covers how care coordination can improve health outcomes, the additional benefits provided by Cal MediConnect health plans and how to keep your current health care providers. Beneficiaries and their caregivers should use this toolkit along with information provided in formal notices and guidebooks.

Early evaluation data on the Cal MediConnect enrollment process indicated that beneficiaries could benefit from specific additional information and materials about the CCI. In response, DHCS developed new materials to support beneficiaries and their providers and caregivers in the decision-making process, including this toolkit.

To ensure optimal usability, DHCS undertook an extensive stakeholder engagement process in the development of this toolkit. A broad range of stakeholders reviewed the toolkit, and the UC Berkeley School of Public Health's Health Research for Action conducted user testing with beneficiaries.

To read more about the new toolkit, click here.

Updated CCI Physician Toolkit

DHCS updated the CCI Physician Toolkit to provide health care providers with information about how the CCI is changing health care for dual-eligible beneficiaries. The updated toolkit outlines the coverage options for patients and how these changes could affect the billing process, care coordination, and other aspects of a physician's practice.

For more information about the toolkit, click here.

If you would like a free presentation or training about the CCI for you, your staff, or others interested in learning more about the program, click here to fill out a request form.

Any questions or comments can be sent to info@calduals.org.

Money Follows the Person Program Under Threat

AUG 30, 2016 | Justice in Aging Health Network Alert

The Money Follows the Person (MFP) Program that helps older adults and people with disabilities transfer out of institutional and into community-based settings is under threat. Unless Congress takes action, the MFP Program will end on September 30, 2016.

There’s still time to keep MFP alive and you can help by telling your Congressperson to vote to continue to fund this successful program that has helped more than 51,000 people move into a setting of their choice since 2005.

Not only does the program increase independence for seniors and people with disabilities it has also helped states improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) and saved states and the federal government money because it costs less to provides these services in the community than it does in an institution.

You can send a letter to your Congressperson through the The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care website.

Simply click here and enter your zip code, add your information, and press Submit to send your letter.

CBAS Updates

AUG 26, 2016 | California Department of Aging, CBAS Branch

We Want To Hear From You!

This CBAS Updates newsletter is to inform you about the Public Comment Period for California’s Statewide Transition Plan (STP) which includes the Revised Draft CBAS Home and Community-Based (HCB) Settings Transition Plan (dated August 29, 2016) (Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan).

• The Public Comment Period begins on Monday, August 29, 2016, and ends on Thursday, September 29, 2016.

These plans provide a blueprint for bringing all of California’s HCB Settings, including CBAS centers, into compliance with the federal HCB Settings requirements by March 17, 2019. More information about the federal HCB Settings requirements is available at the Medicaid.gov website.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and the California Department of Aging (CDA) urge all interested stakeholders to tell us what you think about California’s STP and the Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan (dated August 29, 2016) – what works, what doesn’t work, and what changes you’d like to see. We need to hear from you.

Please go to the DHCS website to access 1) California’s STP and its public comment template, and 2) the Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan and its online public comment survey. You also can go directly to the CDA website to access the Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan (dated August 29, 2016) and online public comment survey.

CDA has developed a Flyer & Fact Sheet to inform interested stakeholders, including CBAS participants and their families and caregivers about the public comment period and federal HCB Settings requirements. Please distribute and post this information to help us spread the word.

We look forward to your feedback!

More Information about Providing Public Comment on the Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan

There are four ways to submit your comments on the Revised Draft CBAS Transition Plan: 1) directly to CDA electronically via online survey; 2) by e-mail to cbascda@aging.ca.gov; 3) by mail to California Department of Aging, CBAS Branch, 1300 National Drive, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95834; or 4) by calling (916) 419-7545.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact CDA directly at (916) 419-7545.

More information about CBAS HCB Settings Stakeholder Activities is posted on the CDA website.

IMPROVING ACCESS: Moving Medi-Cal Forward — Together

AUG 17, 2016 | California Health Care Foundation (CHCF)

CHCF thanks everyone who participated in the July 13 briefing on the future of Medi-Cal. Over 500 people joined in person, online, or by phone to hear noted experts discuss the findings and recommendations in a new CHCF-sponsored report from Manatt Health, Moving Medi-Cal Forward on the Path to Delivery System Transformation.

In her latest article for The CHCF Blog, CEO Sandra Hernández reflects on the key takeaways from the briefing, including the widely agreed-upon vision for Medi-Cal as a program that should foster shared accountability among providers to achieve high-value, high-quality, and whole-person care. She shares data on how attendees at the briefing ranked the report's recommendations, presents some of CHCF's next steps to advance Medi-Cal reform, and explains how you can stay engaged in this work.

"No single organization, government agency, or foundation can tackle this work alone, but I am confident that together we can help move Medi-Cal forward."
          -- Sandra Hernández, MD, CHCF president and CEO

Read the complete article and share your thoughts on social media using #MediCal4ward.

Coordinated Care Initiative Update

AUG 17, 2016 | CalDuals.org | Any questions or comments can be sent to info@calduals.org.

Streamlined Enrollment to Begin for Cal MediConnect

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will begin streamlined enrollment during the week of August 22, 2016, for Cal MediConnect as part of the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI).

Streamlined enrollment allows Cal MediConnect health plans to submit enrollment changes to DHCS on behalf of their members. This will provide a simpler method for beneficiaries to enroll in the Cal MediConnect program associated with their Medi-Cal managed care long-term services and supports (MLTSS) health plan as they will no longer have to take the extra step to contact the state enrollment broker, Health Care Options (HCO), to complete their enrollment choice.

Providing streamlined enrollment is part of DHCS' comprehensive strategy for improving the CCI and Cal MediConnect program. Streamlined enrollment builds upon lessons learned about effective beneficiary outreach, including that the best way to educate beneficiaries is through one-on-one conversations that answer their specific questions about their providers, how the program works and how to make a smooth transition.

DHCS has safeguards in place to protect beneficiaries and will work with the plans to ensure the process is smooth and that beneficiary protections are working.

For more information about streamlined enrollment, click here .

Telephone Survey Findings Released

The UCSF Community Living Policy Center and the UC Berkeley Health Research for Action Center conducted an evaluation of Cal MediConnect as part of California's Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI).

As part of this three-year evaluation, researchers conducted a representative telephone survey with 2,139 beneficiaries who were dually eligible in early 2016 to examine their experiences with Cal MediConnect. Researchers compared the experiences of Cal MediConnect beneficiaries with those who opted out and duals who reside in non-CCI counties to identify areas where experiences are significantly better or worse than those who did not participate.

The key insights from the telephone survey are summarized here. For full details of the telephone survey findings and more information regarding the other pieces of this evaluation, click here.

Cal MediConnect Ombudsman Program

The Department of Managed Health Care is soliciting proposals from qualified entities to provide services to California's dual eligible beneficiaries in Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI) counties, including consumer assistance, education, training and outreach. It is anticipated that the contract will begin on October 1, 2016, and end on December 31, 2017. This will ensure beneficiaries can continue to access these critical services from an independent ombudsman program.

You are invited to review and respond to this Request for Proposals (RFP), entitled "Cal MediConnect Ombudsman Program." Potential proposers are encouraged to download the solicitation package as well as any future addendums from Cal eProcure. The deadline for submitting proposals is 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) on September 2, 2016. Please contact Christopher Rendall at Christopher.Rendall@dmhc.ca.gov or (916) 324-1618 if you have any questions.

New Atlas on Cost and Quality

AUG 11, 2016 | California Health Care Foundation (CHCF)

Benchmarking and tracking quality and cost measures is critical to reducing unwarranted variation and achieving high-quality, affordable care for all Californians. The new atlas is a collaboration of the Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA), the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), and the California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Agency, and includes data for nearly two-thirds of Californians. See the new data tool and listen to a discussion.

Caregiver Cruise -- Possibly The First Of Its Kind In The Country

AUG 2016 | Insight Memory Care Center | Video [4:36 min] | Blog

We can all use a vacation, but what about traveling when your loved one has dementia? It can certainly be difficult, and that’s why Insight Memory Care Center offers a Caregiver Cruise! Both the individual with a dementia diagnosis and their caregiver attend, making the program possibly the first of its kind in the country. In addition to the many benefits a cruise offers – the chance for a vacation, seeing new sights, a getaway – the caregiver cruise provides families with a chance to vacation in a safe and supportive environment.

Hear from families who participated and Insight staff to learn more about the Caregiver Cruise by watching this short video. Check out the Cargiver Cruise Blog.

Opportunity for Regional Center Vendors to Apply for HCBS Compliance Activities Funding

AUG 3, 2016 | California Department of Developmental Services (DSS)

The 2016 Budget Act (SB 826, Chapter 23, Statutes of 2016) contains $15 million to help fund changes necessary for regional center service providers to come into compliance with the HCBS rules. The letter and accompanying enclosures sent to regional centers are available below.

•  August 3, 2016 letter
•  Settings/Services list, Enclosure A
•  Compliance Evaluation, Enclosure B
•  Concept Proposal, Enclosure C

The Department will conduct two webinars to review the compliance funding process and answer questions. The schedule for these webinars is:

Monday, August 15, 2016, at 9:30 a.m.
» Click here to register

The webinar will be repeated on:

Thursday, August 18, 2016, at 3:30 p.m.
» Click here to register

Choose one of the above dates/time to participate in the webinar. Select the corresponding registration link. Follow the prompts to receive instructions for participating in the webinar. Email questions, comments, and concerns to HCBSregs@dds.ca.gov.

What Are Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)?
HCBS are long-term services & supports provided in home and community-based settings, as recognized under the federal Medicaid (Medi-Cal) Program. These services can be a combination of standard medical services and non-medical services. Standard services can include, but are not limited to: case management (i.e. supports and service coordination), homemaker, home health aide, personal care, adult day health services, habilitation (both day and residential), and respite care. States can also propose "other" types of services that may assist in diverting and/or transitioning individuals from institutional settings into their homes and community.

The New HCBS Rules Affect More Than Just DDS
The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has been working with partner agencies, including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), the California Department of Aging (CDA), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), other entities, and public and stakeholder input to develop a 5-year Statewide Transition Plan (STP) to bring California into compliance with new rules. This plan has to be approved by CMS.

On August 14, 2015, DHCS, as the single state agency for the Medi-Cal program, submitted the Statewide Transition Plan for home and community-based settings to CMS for approval. It covers all existing California programs that are affected by the home and community-based settings requirements, including the HCBS Waiver for Californians with Developmental Disabilities and the DDS 1915(i) State Plan program.

New HCBS programs are not covered by the Statewide Transition Plan. New programs, such as the proposed Self-Determination Program Waiver, must be in compliance with the HCBS rules when they are implemented.

Additional information is now available
•  Fact Sheet Home and Community-Based Settings Rule
•  Frequently Asked Questions HCBS Rules

DDS HCBS Advisory Group
On January 16, 2015, in a letter to All Interested Parties regarding the HCBS regulations, DDS announced its efforts to establish an HCBS Advisory Group to guide the transition process for the home and community-based settings requirements in the developmental disabilities service system: Letter regarding the HCBS regulations dated January 16, 2015

In early February, 2015, a number of individuals accepted invitations from Director Santi Rogers to participate on the HCBS Advisory Group (Advisory Group). The Advisory Group provides greater depth and breadth of analysis on the focused issues and processes impacted by, or necessary for, developing, implementing, and continuing compliance with the federal HCBS requirements. Members represent the various interests and perspectives impacted by the HCBS regulations by including consumers, family members, providers, regional centers, and advocates. Interested individuals are welcome to attend meetings.

The Advisory Group Meeting Materials.

Resources
DDS - View 4-page overview of the Federal Requirements for Home and Community-Based Settings.
Medicaid and CMS - Visit CMS website for various communications and fact sheets that help explain the new HCBS rules.
DHCS - Access Statewide Transition Plan and related information on the DHCS website.

For questions, or information on future meetings, email to HCBSregs@dds.ca.gov.

Medicaid's Role in Meeting Seniors' Long-Term Services and Supports Needs

AUG 2, 2016 | The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation | View Article

•  How Do Seniors Qualify for Medicaid LTSS?
•  Which LTSS Does Medicaid Cover?
•  How Much Does Medicaid Spend to Cover Seniors' LTSS Needs?
•  What are the Current Policy Issues in LTSS for Seniors?
•  Looking Ahead

KEY WORDS:
Medicare | long-term services and supports (LTSS) | adult day health care | Medicaid | community-based care | Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) | Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 | Affordable Care Act (ACA) | risk-based managed care organizations

Apply Now! 2016 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards - Application Deadline SEPT 16, 5:00 PM

AUG 1, 2016 | The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)

With continuing support from The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the 2016 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Awards.

$20,000 awards in each of these 3 categories:

• Creative Expression
• Diverse/Multicultural Communities
• Policy and Advocacy

Visit caregiver.org/gilbert-awards for information and to link to the online application. To view our interactive scrapbook of Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Award winners 2008 through 2015, click here.

The Gilbert Caregiving Legacy Awards reception will be held at the annual conference of the American Society on Aging, AiA17, March 20-24, 2017, in Chicago.

Advocacy Fund

Urgent help is needed to reach our fundraising goal of $45,000 to support efforts to restore Medi-Cal Funds! DONATE NOW to the California Adult Day Services State Advocacy Fund. (Contributions are NOT tax deductible). Thank you!

California Association for Adult Day Services, a 501 (c) 6 non-profit grassroots-driven organization, advocates for the growth and development of adult day services in California and nationally. CAADS was the first state association formed in the United States for the purpose of advancing adult day services. Centers in membership with CAADS provide innovative day programs that support individuals with physical or mental disabilities and older adults with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

A nationally recognized leader in the field of aging, the Association is governed by the CAADS Board of Directors and provides timely information, analysis, advocacy, technical assistance, education, and networking opportunities for its members. CAADS members agree to abide by the Association's Bylaws, Code of Ethics, and Anti-trust Policy.

VIEW:
Board of Directors List | Bylaws | Code of Ethics | Anti-trust Policy | 2015 Annual Report

The CAADS Members Only page features information and technical assistance specific to Adult Day Services, as highlighted below. For membership information, click here.

• State Budget Proposals, Legislative Alerts & Advocacy
• CBAS Waiver
• Medi-Cal Issues
• Medicare and Medi-Cal Dual Beneficiaries News & CCI / CalDuals Updates
• Managed Care Health Plans & CA Dept of Managed Health Care Updates
• ADHC / CBAS Licensing & Regulations (DPH, DHCS, CDA)
• Adult Day Program (ADP) Licensing & Regulations (DSS, CCLD)
• Funding Sources
• Education & Training Materials / Webinar Recordings
• Membership Roster

The Alliance for Leadership and Education (A.L.E.) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit arm of CAADS. Its mission is to advance innovation and quality in Adult Day Service through research and analysis, education and training, and leadership for the benefit of consumers and their caregivers.

NATIONAL ADULT DAY SERVICES ASSOCIATION (NADSA)

CAADS is a proud member of the National Adult Day Services Association.

Three representatives from California currently serve on the NADSA Board of Directors:

Corinne Jan, RN, PHN (NADSA Treasurer)
CEO, Family Bridges / Hong Fook Centers

Lydia Missaelides, MHA
Executive Director, CAADS

Amanda Sillars, MSW, LCSW
CEO, Total ADHC Solutions, Inc.

CARING FOR A VETERAN?

For help, call the VA Caregiver Support Line (toll-free):

1-855-260-3274

Mon - Fri 8 AM - 11 PM (EST) || Sat 10:30 AM - 6 PM (EST)

TO REPORT FRAUD AND ABUSE

Call DHCS Medi-Cal Fraud Hotline:

1-800-822-6222

The call is free and you can remain anonymous.

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