NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION TECHNICAL RESOURCE CENTER:
As part of the team for the National Consumer Protection Technical Resource Center (NCPTRC) – the Administration on Aging-funded national support center for states’ SMP program (aka Senior Medicare Patrols Program) -- Health Benefits ABCs has principal responsibility for evaluating the center. HBABCs also conducts annual SMP needs assessments through surveys and analysis. Contract period: 2009-2011.
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT ON AGING:
Health Benefits ABCs evaluated the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, providing a 250-page analysis of and recommendations for the program, evaluation of Maryland ombudsman law in relation to federal law, and provided strategic plans for inproving the program. Project period 2008-2010.
UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES:
Health Benefits ABCs evaluated the Utah Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and the Utah Office of the Child Protection Ombudsman. Through interviews, surveys and other methodologies, the Utah LTCOP was assessed in the following areas: program structure; quality; approach to advocacy; coordination with other agencies. Strengths and weaknesses in the system were identified and recommendations made to improve the system. The Office of Child Protection Ombudsman was assessed for Program Effectiveness and Program Structure. Completed October 1999.
CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES:
Health Benefits ABCs tested alternative approaches to states’ “Informal Dispute Resolution” (IDR) processes for Medicare & Medicaid certified nursing homes as a subcontractor on a three-year performance-based contract with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This project involved two major components: design and implementation of a competitive-based pilot program for establishing an “Independent IDR” system in conjunction with states’ nursing home survey & certification agencies; and an extensive survey of all states regarding their IDR system (state regulators, nursing home trade associations and LTCOPs surveyed in all states with a 100% response from states). HBABCs main tasks were to: 1) conduct a study of the state of IDR in all 50 states (via surveys and interviews); and 2) conduct a pilot demo of an independent model of IDR in two states. The demonstration states were Iowa and Texas. HBABCs’ work involved program design and management, data systems design, implementation and analyses, evaluation, selection and convening of a national “Technical Advisory Group,” and making recommendations about both further study regarding IDR and new business logic and rule for conducting IDRs.
PHILADELAPHIA CORPORATION FOR AGING:
Health Benefits ABCs conducted a study of Philadelphia’s In-Home Support Program for the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging (PCA), which is Philadelphia’s area agency on aging. Different reports containing sensitive material were produced for PCA’s senior management and for management of Philadelphia’s five IHSP provider agencies. Briefings on key findings and recommendations were conducted for both audiences.