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Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services (BEAS) Newsletter - May 2024

May is Older Americans Month!

Every May, ACL leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year's theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. Join us in exploring the vital role that connectedness plays in supporting independence and aging in place.

View He-E 502 Older Americans Act Services (Title III)

BEAS News

BEAS General Memos

GM 24-09 – CFI Redetermination Procedural Extension 

GM 24-10 – CFI Eligibility Pending Appeal 

BEAS Provider Check-In 4th Tuesday of Every Month

April 2024 Meeting Highlights:

Division of Medicaid attended todays meeting to discuss incontinence supplies. Providers have brought forward issues with quantity and quality and challenges that providers and participants are having. MCOs will be doing reach outs to agencies to provide assistance with the process to submit authorization for exceeding max units or default products for incontinence. Limits can be exceeded with authorization request. Questions can be submitted to olivia.l.may@dhhs.nh.gov

BNH Hosts Free Community Shred Days

Laconia, New Hampshire – Bank of New Hampshire will be hosting two free paper shredding events for the public this spring. The shredding events will be located at their Concord Heights office on Saturday, May 11th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; and at their Gilford Operations Center on Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm; or until the mobile shredding trucks are filled. These events are an opportunity for individuals to destroy old documents and confidential files, safely and securely. All papers will be shredded on location in the mobile truck. Documents should be free of large binder clips however; staples and paper clips may be left on documents. There is a limit of three boxes per person. For more information about the Shred Days, contact Bank of New Hampshire at 1.800.832.0912 or visit, https://bnh.bank/bnh-shred-days-2024/.

Presumptive Eligibility

New Hampshire submitted a request for an amendment to its Medicaid Section 1115 New Hampshire Substance Use Disorder, Serious Mental Illness, Serious Emotional Disturbance, Treatment, Recovery, and Access Demonstration. The amendment would extend presumptive eligibility to individuals applying for home and community-based services (HCBS) under the state’s 1915(c) waiver, Choices for Independence (CFI). Presumptive eligibility will be designed to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of individuals who are Medicaid-eligible for nursing facility services who choose to receive services in less restrictive settings. The federal comment period for this application will be open from April 12, 2024, through May 13, 2024. Pending Application View/Submit Public Comments

Restaurant Voucher Program The Restaurant Voucher Program (RVP) is an innovative community dining option for adults 60 years of age and older. It was first introduced in New Hampshire during the COVID Public Health Emergency in response to changing community needs and preferences. It had its start in COOS and Hillsborough County. Currently, there are 3 locations in Hillsborough County where RVP is thriving. These include The Village Eatery in Manchester, White Birch Eatery of Goffstown, and Francoeur’s Café in Manchester. This program is an extension of the Congregate Dining and Home Delivered meal programs administer by BEAS and like these programs RVP is a donation-based meal program where participants can dine at participating restaurants. If you would like to learn more about this program contact: Maureen Brown Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services 1-(603) 271-5161 Maureen.hg.brown@dhhs.nh.gov

ACL - Improving HCBS Access and Quality

New Rules from CMS:

• Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Final Rule (CMS-2442-F)Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services rule
• Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality Final Rule (CMS-2439-F)Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality rule
• Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Minimum Staffing Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and Medicaid Institutional Payment Transparency Reporting Final Rule (CMS 3442-F)

Biden-Harris Administration Takes Historic Action to Increase Access to Quality Care, and Support to Families and Care Workers

• Announcement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Don't miss the opportunity to support a noble cause at the upcoming New Hampshire Fisher Cats baseball game! In partnership with the Partnership for Public Health, we are dedicating the game on Memorial Day weekend, May 24th, to fundraise for veterans' suicide prevention and mental health. Join us on Mental Health Awareness night for an evening of sports, community, and solidarity. Be a part of a movement that honors our veterans while enjoying America's favorite pastime. Get your tickets today and make a difference!

Adult Protective Services

In New Hampshire, adult abuse is defined by the Adult Protection Law (RSA 161-F: 42-57). Adult abuse is any action or omission that results or could result in harm to a person age 18 or older who cannot provide for his or her own care and protection due to the effects of aging or a chronic illness or disability.

The Adult Protection Law identifies six types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, self-neglect and exploitation. As required by law, the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, receives and investigates reports of adult abuse and, when necessary, provides protective services.

It is estimated that only one in six cases of abuse towards an adult is reported.

• Affects adults across all ages, socioeconomic groups, cultures and races, and can occur anywhere.
• Common risk factors: being female, being an older adult, having dementia, mental health or substance abuse issues & isolation.

Self-Neglect

Self-neglect is the type of adult abuse most commonly reported. It occurs when an at-risk adult cannot or does not care appropriately for herself or himself.

Some signs of self-neglect are:

• Frequent falls
• History of fires or burns from smoking or cooking
• Hoarding that interferes with safety
• Inability to manage finances or pay bills
• Noncompliance with or inability to take medication as prescribed
• Unclean physical appearance, soiled clothing, inappropriate clothing for the weather, fecal/urine smell
• Unsanitary conditions in the home
• Untreated medical conditions
• Wandering or getting lost.

What to Look For

Signs and symptoms common to all types of abuse and neglect may include:

• Being left alone for long periods of time without supervision or assistance when it is needed
• Experiencing malnutrition/dehydration
• Fear, anxiety or agitation around certain household members or caregivers
• Increasing withdrawal and isolation
• Lack of routine medical care
• Misusing or stealing money or possessions
• Physical contact of a sexual nature
• Threats or intimidation or unwanted remarks
• Unexplained bruises, welts or burns
• Unexplained changes in health status.

Prevent • Help • Report

800-949-0470

apscentralintake@dhhs.nh.gov

The 2023 National Inventory of

Self-Direction Programs

Report
February 6th, 2024
Research

With support from AARP, we conducted an extensive national inventory of self-direction programs in the United States. The research revealed eight key findings on the growth of self-direction, along with data on program expansion.

According to the 2023 Inventory, there are more than 1.5 million people who self-direct their LTSS. This represents a 23 percent increase since 2019. By comparison, enrollment grew by 17 percent from 2016 to 2019. Most states (44) reported an overall increase in self-direction enrollment and six of those states have more than doubled self-direction enrollment since 2019. The pandemic accelerated the expansion of self-direction nationwide.

Overall, self-direction is a growing and increasingly critical component of our LTSS infrastructure that offers unique advantages for participants, families, and funders. Review the report for detailed enrollment data plus recommendations for future research and policy development.

National Inventory of Self-Directed Long-Term Services and Supports Programs.pdf

Minding The Gaps: Family Caregivers And Their Role In Health Care, Long Term Care, And The Workforce

Thursday, May 16th
5:00 -6:00 PM- Reception
6:00 – 7:00 PM – Panel Discussion
Grappone Conference Center
Concord, NH

Join AARP-NH for an informative evening on this critical topic.  Moderated by Christina FitzPatrick-AARP NH State Director, the panel will feature Nancy LeaMond-AARP EVP and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, Jeb Bradley-President-NH Senate, Mike Skelton-CEO NH Business and Industry Association, and Lori Weaver-Commissioner-NH DHHS.

Do you have an “AHA Moment” you would like to share? Please email Chris Dugan at  Christopher.dugan@unh.edu

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Gerontological Society of America

Outcomes of Person-Centered Planning in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services

The Community Living Policy Center’s summary brief on the Association Between Person-Centered Planning with Improved Community Living Outcomes study is among the first to investigate how person-centered planning impacts outcomes for older adults and individuals with physical disabilities receiving Medicaid HCBS across multiple states. Findings suggest that focusing on person-centered planning could help decrease unmet needs and improve outcomes for individuals receiving HCBS and that involving individuals in planning their services is crucial for meeting their preferences and improving the quality of HCBS. The study identifies a number of policy recommendations to potentially improve HCBS programs.

Click here for more information.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Teaches Everyone How to Prevent Fraud

(Concord, NH) – Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year. It costs Medicare beneficiaries in time, stress, their medical identities, and potentially their health. It costs families, friends, and caregivers in worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from falling victim to Medicare fraud.

“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” said Terri Vineyard, NH Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Director. “We teach people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud. By preventing fraud from happening, this program helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.”

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by joining the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and their partners for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week which runs the week of June 5, or 6/5, because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.

“We’re excited to teach people both about how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud and about the services that the Senior Medicare Patrol program offers. We hope that people will remember the numbers ‘6-5’ to help us celebrate Medicare Fraud Prevention Week,” said Vineyard.

Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud. During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week:

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure products and services received match what is on the statements. They can request free My Health Care Trackers from their local SMP.
• Caregivers can help by being on the lookout for items such as durable medical equipment (like boxes of knee braces) lying around the house that may have been shipped to the beneficiary without their or their doctor’s approval. They can remind their client or loved one to never give out their Medicare number or other personal information over the phone.
• Families can help by talking to their loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help their loved ones create a Medicare.gov account to access their Medicare statements online or remind them to open and review them when they come in the mail. They can also register their phone number on “do not call” lists and go to optoutprescreen.com to opt out of mailings.
• Partners and professionals can help by sharing SMP information on social media, referring clients and consumers to the SMP, and inviting the SMP to speak during a shared event.
• Health care providers can help by talking to patients about health care-related scams such as those related to durable medical equipment and genetic testing schemes. They can remind them that products and services should only be ordered by physicians they regularly see. Needed medical items should never be ordered through TV ads or unsolicited calls.
• Community members can help by looking out for older neighbors. When in public, they can be aware of older individuals purchasing gift cards in large amounts. They can encourage those they know to talk to a trusted source about their Medicare questions and tell neighbors about the most recent Medicare scams. They can even consider volunteering with the local SMP!

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is ready to provide you with the information you need to PROTECT yourself from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. Your SMP can help you with your questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

Scammers Bank on You Not Reading Your Medicare Statements

 Reading your Medicare statements is the first line of defense in catching scammers. Whether you have Original Medicare, which provides Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs), or Medicare Advantage, which provides Explanations of Benefits (EOBs), you should always look at your statements carefully. They summarize Medicare claims, just like credit card or bank statements, and reviewing them could help detect errors or possible fraud.  

Introducing the NCLER Spotlighting Equity Video Series

Visit our website which features tools to help you access the information you need to serve older adults in your community.

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