Chronic Care Issue Brief: Implementation of Provisions under the Bipartisan Budget Act in Health

BPC Action is pleased to share a new policy brief by the Bipartisan Policy Center, which looks at the implementation of Medicare program changes under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.  These provisions are aimed at improving care for individuals with multiple chronic conditions.

The new brief, Improving Care and Lowering Costs for Chronic Care Beneficiaries: Implementing the Bipartisan Budget Act, focuses on key provisions that need to be executed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), health plans, and states:

  • The ability for MA plans to better target supplemental benefits to enrollees with multiple chronic conditions and to cover non-medical, health-related services such as transportation, meals, and minor home modifications;
  • New requirements to better integrate Medicare and Medicaid services for those dually eligible for both programs; and
  • Alignment of the grievance and appeals processes for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs).

Three-in-four Americans over age 65 have multiple chronic conditions and the cost of their care is rising. Medicare beneficiaries with four or more chronic conditions account for 90 percent of Medicare hospital readmissions and 74 percent of overall Medicare spending. Research shows that providing social services not traditionally covered by Medicare can reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency visits for some people living with multiple chronic conditions.

The projection of older Americans is expected to double by 2050, and a significant strain will be put on both the nation’s health care system and families. With broad bipartisan congressional support, now is the time for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), health plans, and states to work in a concerted effort to successfully implement these crucial components to secure better care for patients with multiple chronic conditions.