California Duals Demo Has Little Impact on Long-Term Services & Supports, Beneficiaries Report

Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries participating in the California duals demonstration, Cal MediConnect, generally reported that the transition from a fee-for-service system to managed care had not affected the long-term services and supports (LTSS) they receive.  In focus group interviews conducted as part of a CLPC/UC Berkeley evaluation of the program, some respondents were even unaware that LTSS was in any way connected with the integration of services.  Although some participants said that their care coordinators had given them information about home and community-based services that were available, few had seen increased hours or expanded services as a result of help or advocacy from their care coordinator.  More information on findings from the focus groups is available in a recently released report.