Learning From New State Initiatives in Financing Long-Term Services and Supports

One of the biggest challenges facing individuals, families, and state and federal policymakers is how to pay for the long-term services and supports (LTSS) that many of us will need as we age. Many Americans are surprised to learn that neither private health insurance nor Medicare pays for long-term services and supports. This leaves many Americans paying out of pocket for care, or trying to “spend down” their assets to qualify for Medicaid coverage.

Finding new approaches to financing LTSS is crucial to the financial security of millions of older adults and their families, and to the long-term sustainability of the Medicaid program. In recent years, a number of states have launched innovative initiatives to financing LTSS. This report jointly produced by the Center and the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston provides case studies of six states that are attempting to proactively address the issue. The study examines strategies behind LTSS financing efforts in Washington, Hawaii, Maine, California, Michigan, and Minnesota.

Learning from New State Initiatives in Financing Long-Term Services and Supports is the 48-page report detailing findings from the analysis. A 12-page Executive Summary is also available.

The study was led by Marc Cohen, LTSS Center co-director and research director at the Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation; Center Director Ann Hwang; and Michael Miller, director of strategy policy at Community Catalyst.