Lean about the concept of self-direction in Managed Long-Term Services and Supports, including its origin and characteristics and individual and caregiver perspectives. Also presented are health plan considerations, suggestions, and best practices.

A summary of efficacy data for high-impact specialty pipeline drugs expected to reach the market, including their place in therapy and budgetary impact. Also featured are strategies to mitigate costs of these cutting-edge medications and compare them to current therapy options.

UMass Medical School health policy experts have developed sustainable financing models for the state of Maine to support four community health worker (CHW) interventions that focus on patients with the greatest, and most costly, health care needs.

Learn the strategies required to deliver patient-centric, quality care for individuals with complex care needs. Successful coordination and management requires networking with multiple care providers and linking each intervention to the individual’s overall care.

A comprehensive overview of why policymakers should include language access elements in Medicaid ACO design and a description of how such a design can be implemented. Access to language services is crucial to providing quality care and reducing health disparities among patients who are deaf or Limited English Proficient.

Breakthrough direct-acting antivirals set a new standard in the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with regard to cure rates and improved tolerability, but cost is a challenge. We designed and implemented a comprehensive HCV medication management program that helped one state Medicaid program avoid nearly $3.8 million in costs while ensuring members have access to clinically appropriate regimens.

This annual report outlines the 2015 accomplishments of Care Transformation Collaborative (CTC) Rhode Island, a primary care initiative managed by UMass Medical School. CTC includes more than 80 primary care practices across the state

Women with disabilities are at risk for poor birth outcomes. Little is known about specific potentially disabling health conditions and their effects on pregnancies. We found that disability risk identified through hospital claims is associated with poor infant and maternal outcomes.

More than 150 adults with acquired brain injury in Massachusetts transitioned from long-term care settings to the community from November 2010 to August 2013. Some individuals transitioned with an increase in risk incidents. A registered nurse care manager was engaged to address the needs of those at high risk. The results show there was a decrease in hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

How mapping and visualization tools can enhance the use of data to characterize a population’s health and social services needs, target interventions and compare outcomes across population subgroups. These tools are used to manage Massachusetts 1915c Medicaid Waiver programs, track operations, improve efficiency, report quality measures, monitor program integrity and plan for  service needs.