Applications open for #NASHPCONF21 Workgroup: Expanding and Sustaining the Continuum of Care for People with Serious Illness
The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), with generous support from The John A. Hartford Foundation, will be convening a state-only preconference workgroup at its #NASHPCONF21 annual state health policy conference, scheduled for September 20th, 2021 1-4pm EST, to explore expanding and sustaining the continuum of care for people with serious illness within Medicaid managed care systems.
The workgroup will engage state leaders from 10 states who are interested in developing and/or strengthening health policies and payment strategies to support care for people with serious illness. The group will explore:
- How to identify a target population;
- Developing and pricing a benefit for care for serious illness; and
- State experiences and challenges.
Expanding the continuum of care for people with serious illness can promote good outcomes, improve quality of life, and avoid unnecessary cost for states and health systems. States that contract with managed care organizations (MCO) to oversee delivery of Medicaid benefits can leverage MCO contracts to better support individuals with serious illness.
Best practices and lessons learned from the preconference session will be shared with other states and contribute to the national discussion on palliative care, end–of–life care, and care for people with serious illness.
- What’s in it for states? Each state team will receive free registration to #NASHPCONF21, participate in discussion with peers and experts, and continue to have access to technical assistance from NASHP and national experts on specific state goals.
- State applications may include a state team of up to two members,
- To apply: Interested state teams should complete and submit this brief application form by 5 p.m., June 11, 2021. Accepted state team members will be notified by June 14, 2021. Questions can be emailed to Mia Antezzo at mantezzo@oldsite.nashp.org.
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
