LeadingAge NY's testimony focuses on the inadequacy of Medicaid rates, the lack of State support for long term care during the pandemic, and the resulting workforce shortages. The hearing was postponed until Nov. 1^st due to severe weather predictions.

Following up on a prior letter criticizing the omission of LTC from the State's $17 billion Medicaid waiver concept paper, LeadingAge NY wrote to the State's Medicaid Director recommending specific modifications to address the needs of older adults and strengthen the LTC system.

The extension is effective until March 31, 2022. The State's extension request indicated that it would be submitting a new demonstration proposal and concept paper to address health care disparities highlighted by the pandemic.

The document provides technical specifications for 2021 measurement year reporting for MLTC plans.

Eligibility change would take effect Jan. 1, 2021.

CMS approval of the waiver amendment is needed to implement the new activities of daily living eligibility requirements imposed under the 2020-21 State Budget and to allow new dually eligible Medicare Advantage beneficiaries to remain enrolled in their mainstream Medicaid managed care plan.

At the second meeting of the MRT 2, members discussed the proposals submitted by stakeholders to fill the $2.5 billion budget gap, focusing on strategies to curb MLTC enrollment and utilization of personal care and CDPAS.

The MRT 2 is moving forward with identifying sources of savings to close a Medicaid budget gap of $2.5 billion by April 1^st.