Emergency Flexibility for States to Increase and Maintain Medicaid Eligibility for LTSS under COVID-19. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Blewett, Lynn A.; Hest, Robert
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging & social policy. Volume 32:Issue 4/5(2020)
• Page Start: 343
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Aging -- long-term care -- Medicaid LTSS -- program eligibility -- Medicaid waivers -- state budgets; Older people -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Government policy -- United States -- Periodicals; Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.605
• DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2020.1774312
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9420

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Medicaid provides essential coverage for health care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) to low-income older adults and disabled individuals but eligibility is complicated and restrictive. In light of the current public health emergency, states have been given new authority to streamline and increase the flexibility of Medicaid LTSS eligibility, helping them enroll eligible individuals and ensure that current beneficiaries are not inadvertently disenrolled. Though state budgets are under increased pressure during the economic crisis created by the coronavirus, we caution states against cutting Medicaid LTSS eligibility or services to balance their budgets. These services are critical to an especially vulnerable population during a global pandemic.