Affordable Care Act – Aging and Disability Resource Center

ADRCs are designed to serve as "visible and trusted" sources where people can turn to for objective information on their long-term services and support options and their Medicare benefits. These programs also provide "one-on-one" counseling and advice to help consumers, including private pay individuals, to fully understand how available options relate to their particular needs, as well as streamlined access to all publicly supported long-term services and support programs. Funding under this Program will help states further develop and strengthen their statewide systems of person-centered information, counseling and access. Through this grant program, states and local aging and disability programs will receive funds to provide outreach and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on their Medicare benefits including prevention; use additional funds through a competitive process, to provide Person Center Counseling on health and long term care through ADRCs; use additional funds through a competitive process in existing Money Follows the Person states for Nursing Home Transitions and Diversions; and finally, ACL and CMS funded states, through a competitive process, to strengthen the role of ADRCs in the implementation of Evidence-Based Care Transition models that integrate the medical and social service systems to help older individuals and those with disabilities remain in their own homes and communities after a hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility visit and avoid unnecessary readmission. The ADRC is (A) to serve as visible and trusted sources of information on the full range of long-term care options that are available in the community, including both institutional and home and community-based care; (B) to provide personalized and consumer friendly assistance to empower people to make informed decisions about their care options and facilitate a process with the consumer to develop a person centered plan; (C ) to provide coordinated and streamlined access to all publicly supported long-term care options so that consumers can obtain the care they need through a single intake, assessment and eligibility determination process; (D) to help people to plan ahead for their future long-term care needs; and (E) to assist, in coordination with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Medicare beneficiaries in understanding and accessing the Prescription Drug Coverage and prevention health benefits available under the Medicare Modernization Act". ACL along with CMS and VHA is working with 8 states to gain an understanding how states are incorporating their ADRC and their Balancing Incentive Program and transforming their state LTSS functions into a No Wrong Door System. ACL , CMS and VHA are working together with the states to develop a No Wrong Door System to LTSS for all populations and all payers.