Project Grant R01AG096459

The National Institute on Aging awarded The Washington University $406,707 on September 1, 2026, under the Trans-NIH Research Support program (CFDA 93.310) to conduct a national longitudinal study examining whether integrated dual-eligible special needs plans improve health outcomes for adults with intellectual disabilities and dementia who are dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid.

The study addresses the absence of national research on dementia care access, quality, and outcomes among adults with intellectual disabilities, including those with Down Syndrome who face elevated dementia risk and worse health care quality than the general population. Preliminary data indicate approximately 556,893 U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid annually, including 53,743 with dementia. The research will assess the adequacy of Medicare and Medicaid coverage models in meeting the needs of aging adults with intellectual disabilities, with particular focus on integrated dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs), in which a single managed care organization coordinates all Medicare services and many or all Medicaid services.

The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2031. Work is performed in St. Louis, Missouri. The award is classified as a Project Grant under the Trans-NIH Research Support program, which provides research support awards reviewed for scientific merit and program relevance through NIH peer review processes.