Over the next two decades, analysts project that states will collectively spend nearly $1.6 trillion dollars for long-term care supports and services (LTSS) for elderly and disabled citizens and the federal government will contribute an additional $2.1 trillion, for a total of $3.7 trillion. Current estimates are that more than two-thirds of Americans age 65+ today will need long-term care with an average duration of need of about three years.* In response, states are seeking fresh approaches for delivering Medicaid-funded LTSS, with an emphasis on reducing costly institutional care through home- and community-based (HCBS) "aging in place" initiatives.

This report presents an array of innovative initiatives from across the nation offering alternatives for reforming the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term care. It includes both innovations that have been implemented as well as promising practices for more effectively delivering community-based long-term supports and services. Innovations included cover:

• Provider-focused initiatives;


• New directions for managed long-term care;


• Administrative and financing solutions; and


• Emerging telehealth technologies

(abstract from: http://www.chcs.org/publications3960/publications_show.htm?doc_id=1253869).