Harmonic Health’s Post

🌟 Exciting News in Dementia Care! 🌟 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have approved nearly 400 organizations as testing grounds for a revolutionary new model of dementia care and family caregiver support, called the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model. Starting July 1, 2024, these established businesses will offer comprehensive care management and support programs for individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers. To make it easier for you to find and explore these innovative programs, we've compiled a list of 96 participating businesses, state-by-state, across the United States. Each listing includes their legal business name, program name (if applicable), address, city, and website links. Discover more about these pioneering programs and how they're transforming dementia care here: https://bit.ly/4cOf7Wt #DementiaCare #GUIDEModel #CMS #HealthcareInnovation #CaregiverSupport #PrimaryRecord

The end of the final year of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ QIN-QIO 12th Statement of Work is fast approaching, but we’re not slowing down. Our new article “Say Sepsis, Save Lives: September is National Sepsis Awareness Month” offers important facts and lifesaving strategies to help long-term care facilities stop sepsis in its tracks. https://lnkd.in/gtuHkpv9 We have also updated our Sepsis Toolkit for skilled nursing and long-term care facilities to include more resources for patients and their family members. Get the kit at https://lnkd.in/g9MFdjW2. “Enhancing Dementia Care: A Guide for Long-Term Care Staff” explains why person-centered care strategies are key for enhancing quality of life for patients as well as how LTC staff can use these approaches with residents. https://lnkd.in/gFQzEidz As we prepare to bid on the 13th Statement of Work, we’re looking forward to the opportunity to support the providers, patients and communities in Region 6 — Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Medicaid offers significant assistance with long-term care for individuals who qualify based on their income and assets. One primary way it helps is by covering the costs associated with nursing home care, assisted living, and other long-term care services. This coverage can be crucial for individuals who require ongoing assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Additionally, Medicaid may also cover services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical supplies necessary for long-term care. Moreover, Medicaid often provides coverage for services that Medicare does not, filling critical gaps in coverage for long-term care needs. Eligibility requirements for Medicaid long-term care coverage vary by state, but typically consider income, assets, and level of care needed. Medicaid's long-term care coverage can alleviate financial burdens for individuals and families facing the high costs of ongoing care, ensuring access to necessary services without depleting resources.

It's a common misconception that Medicare covers in-home care, but the reality is different. Currently, you must self-pay for care until you exhaust your assets and qualify for Medicaid. With non-medical in-home care costs exceeding $75K per year, seniors' savings are quickly depleted. VP Harris' proposal for Medicare to expand coverage for home care is monumental, if delivered. This change would not only greatly impact seniors' lives but also revolutionize the health care and asset management sectors. Seniors would be able to preserve more of their savings, and they could reduce unnecessary emergency room visits. This proposal signifies a significant shift from a focus on "medical care" to embracing "social care." At Grayce, we exist to grow the focus on social care, because it is crucial for every family and society as a whole. Emphasizing upstream social care over downstream medical interventions and medications is key for a healthier future.

Are you or a loved one a senior enrolled in Medi-Cal? 🤔 If so, you'll want to know about the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) program—a transformative initiative that's set to bring significant benefits to our senior population across the state. Here's why CalAIM matters for seniors: 1️⃣ Whole Person Care: CalAIM focuses on addressing not just medical needs but also the broader social determinants of health that impact seniors' well-being. From access to affordable housing to mental health support and beyond, CalAIM is designed to provide comprehensive care that considers the unique needs of each individual. 2️⃣ Innovative Care Models: The program introduces innovative care models tailored to seniors, such as enhanced care management and expanded access to community-based services. These models aim to improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for seniors by providing personalized, coordinated care. 3️⃣ Equity and Diversity: CalAIM prioritizes health equity, aiming to reduce disparities in health outcomes among seniors from diverse backgrounds. By addressing social determinants of health and promoting culturally competent care, CalAIM strives to ensure that all seniors have equal access to high-quality healthcare services. 4️⃣ Simplification and Streamlining: One of the key goals of CalAIM is to simplify administrative processes and streamline access to care for seniors enrolled in Medi-Cal. This means less paperwork, easier navigation of the healthcare system, and more time spent on what matters most—improving health and well-being. As California continues to innovate and advance its Medicaid program, seniors enrolled in Medi-Cal can look forward to enhanced support, improved access to care, and a renewed focus on holistic well-being. Stay tuned for more updates on CalAIM and how it's shaping the future of healthcare for seniors in our state! #CalAIM #MediCal #SeniorCare #HealthcareInnovation 🚀🌈💙

Vice President Harris proposed a new Medicare benefit aimed at supporting senior care, specifically addressing the needs of middle age voters juggling child-rearing and eldercare responsibilities. This proposal seeks to allow older adults to remain at home as long as they want to and are able. Her plan, which requires congressional approval, aims to fund this initiative by negotiating lower prescription drug prices. The hope is to build on President Biden's previous efforts, which lacked sufficient support. That begs the question of how this will have the support when Build Back Better didn't. Key takeaways include: Targeting the Sandwich Generation: Harris is reaching out to middle-aged voters who face the dual financial burdens of child and elder care. Potential Savings for Medicare: Harris hopes to fund the plan by having Medicare more aggressively negotiate lower drug prices. Rising Long-Term Care Costs: As we know, home care costs have surged, underscoring the need for more comprehensive coverage options. Political Challenges Ahead: As I said, a split Congress will be reluctant to push this forward. I'm not one to get political on this forum, but it's not a coincidence that Harris introduced this plan on The View, which has a large audience of suburban women—a key constituency for her to win over. 

Navigating Medicare for our aging loved ones can be a daunting task. As caregivers, we want the best for them, but the complexity of Medicare plans often leaves us overwhelmed. Today, we want to share three simple steps that can help you ensure your loved ones get the best Medicare coverage available. It's crucial to understand their healthcare needs. Take the time to assess their chronic conditions, medications, and overall health requirements. Consulting with their doctors can provide valuable insights into what specific coverage is necessary. Next, research and compare Medicare plans. Understanding the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage is a good starting point. Each option offers different benefits, and comparing these can be quite beneficial. Once you've selected a plan, the final step is to enroll and continuously monitor the coverage. Ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filled out correctly and submitted on time to avoid any delays in coverage. After enrollment, keep a close eye on any changes in Medicare policies or your loved one's health needs. Leveraging aging in place technology can be a game-changer here, as it helps you stay organized with tracking appointments, medication schedules, and policy updates. By following these three steps, you can make Medicare management more manageable and ensure your loved ones receive the best possible care. Our aging in place technology is here to support you every step of the way, making it easier to navigate the complexities of Medicare. Let's take these steps together to provide the best care for our aging loved ones. Find out more about how Caregiver Smart Solutions provide comprehensive aging in place solution that gives caregivers ultimate peace of mind in real time here: https://lnkd.in/eGdW64nC #elderlycare #aging #agetechsolution #personalmonitoringsystems #dailyliving #familycaregivers #caregiversupport #caregiverresources #dementiacare #alzheimercare

Have you ever considered the profound impact of who pays for healthcare? Vice President Kamala Harris's recent proposal to extend Medicare coverage to in-home el could be a game-changer for families balancing care for both children and aging parents. Shifting from Medicaid to Medicare reimbursement could significantly affect both patients and providers. For patients, this could mean better access to essential homecare services without needing nursing homes, especially for middle-income families juggling child-rearing and eldercare. Medicare coverage could ease financial and emotional strain, offering a more sustainable way to manage caregiving. For providers, this shift could bring new growth opportunities. As a homecare executive, I’ve seen how reimbursement models drive change. Medicare’s involvement might lead to more standardized care and higher reimbursement rates, encouraging quality improvements and tech advancements. However, providers would need to navigate new regulations and adapt to Medicare's evaluation processes, requiring strategic leadership for a smooth transition and high-quality care. As we approach this possible shift, industry leaders must engage in dialogue. How can we prepare and innovate to enhance care while staying efficient? Share your thoughts in the comments. #Homecare #Medicare #HealthcareInnovation https://lnkd.in/d4KumR5R

One of the biggest challenges to improving care for low-income older adults and folks with disabilities who are dual eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid is that the programs, policies, and delivery systems simply don’t talk to one another. So we are pleased to partner with @PennLDI & @Health_Affairs to bring together people who are dually eligible, providers, researchers, and policymakers to share their experiences and ideas for making care more patient-centered and affordable. More: https://lnkd.in/eyhzRRsJ

Navigating Medicare for our aging loved ones can be a daunting task. As caregivers, we want the best for them, but the complexity of Medicare plans often leaves us overwhelmed. Today, we want to share three simple steps that can help you ensure your loved ones get the best Medicare coverage available. It's crucial to understand their healthcare needs. Take the time to assess their chronic conditions, medications, and overall health requirements. Consulting with their doctors can provide valuable insights into what specific coverage is necessary. Next, research and compare Medicare plans. Understanding the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage is a good starting point. Each option offers different benefits, and comparing these can be quite beneficial. Once you've selected a plan, the final step is to enroll and continuously monitor the coverage. Ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filled out correctly and submitted on time to avoid any delays in coverage. After enrollment, keep a close eye on any changes in Medicare policies or your loved one's health needs. Leveraging aging in place technology can be a game-changer here, as it helps you stay organized with tracking appointments, medication schedules, and policy updates. By following these three steps, you can make Medicare management more manageable and ensure your loved ones receive the best possible care. Our aging in place technology is here to support you every step of the way, making it easier to navigate the complexities of Medicare. Let's take these steps together to provide the best care for our aging loved ones. Find out more about how Caregiver Smart Solutions provide comprehensive aging in place solution that gives caregivers ultimate peace of mind in real time here: https://lnkd.in/eGdW64nC #elderlycare #aging #agetechsolution #personalmonitoringsystems #dailyliving #familycaregivers #caregiversupport #caregiverresources #dementiacare #alzheimercare