Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS)

This report examines the role of long-term services and supports (LTSS) in Medicaid. It also examines how sociodemographic changes are likely to affect the demand for LTSS in the future, and as a result, Medicaid use and expenditures.

This is the full instrument for the Survey of Long-Term Care Awareness and Planning, and Appendix A of the report "Data User's Guide for the Public Use File of the Survey of Long-Term Care Awareness and Planning".

This is the Codebook for the Survey of Long-Term Care Awareness and Planning public use file, and Appendix B of the report "Data User's Guide for the Public Use File of the Survey of Long-Term Care Awareness and Planning". The Codebook contains every variable name, its label, and unweighted and weighted frequencies.

With the aging of the population, the demand and need for long-term care (LTC) is certain to grow, and with it public and private expenditures. Unlike medical care, where insurance is common, few people have private LTC insurance, and Medicare does not cover LTC. Many older adults pay for LTC out of their income and personal savings until they qualify for Medicaid.

Long-term services and supports (LTSS) are expensive. The average private pay cost of a private room nursing home stay in 2014 was about $88,000 a year. Although this cost is insurable through private long-term care (LTC) insurance, coverage is low.

Despite the high costs for long-term services and supports (LTSS), the current financing system inadequately protects people from the financial devastation of long-term disabling conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or stroke. Private long-term care (LTC) insurance coverage is low and Medicare does not cover LTSS.

Angela M. Greene, Nga Thach, Joshua M. Wiener and Galina Khatutsky RTI International Printer Friendly Version in PDF Format (17 PDF pages)

Previous research demonstrates that lack of planning for the potential need for long-term services and supports (LTSS) is associated with lack of knowledge about these services. People who do not have a firm understanding of their longevity risks, probability of needing and using LTSS, and the associated costs for services may be less likely to plan for their future LTSS needs.

Printer Friendly Version in PDF Format (33 PDF pages)

This is a follow-up to three earlier evaluation reports on the Balancing Incentive Program. The Balancing Incentive Program, legislated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA), offered states temporary enhanced federal financial participation for Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).