Come Together Right Now, Medicare and Medicaid
Tuesday, October 24th
10:00AM-11:30AM
In recent years, states and CMS have collaborated on more than a dozen dual-eligible demonstrations. Other states are aligning Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans with Medicaid Long-term Services and Support plans, and working to coordinate Medicare and Medicaid payment and delivery reform initiatives. In this session, a CMS official provides an overview of federal-state collaborations to improve care for dual-eligibles, and Minnesota and Washington State officials discuss integration’s positive outcomes in their states. The panel explores barriers to deeper integration and recommendations for increased flexibility between state and federal agencies.
Speakers:
- Tim Engelhardt, Director, CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office
Gretchen Ulbee, Manager, Special Needs Purchasing, Minnesota Department of Human Services- Marie Zimmerman, Medicaid Director, Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Alice Lind, Manager, Grants and Program Development, Washington State Health Care Authority
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. 
