Medi-Cal ’s long-term care services reach only a small portion of seniors, disabled adults

Key takeaways:Only about 10% to 16% of those who are potentially eligible for two long-term care programs are actually enrolled.Researchers found disparities in participation across racial groups and California ’s regions.Most Californians who are potentially eligible are unaware that they may qualify.Two Medi-Cal care programs designed to help seniors and disabled adults avoid being placed in nursing homes serve only a fraction of those presumed to be eligible, according to astudy published today by theUCLA Center for Health Policy Research.Improving access to and expanding the reach of these long-term support services could keep hundreds of thousands of high-need Californians in their own homes and help the state avoid the high costs associated with skilled nursing facilities, the researchers said.The study authors found high potential demand across the state for the type of services offered by Medi-Cal ’sMultipurpose Senior Services Program, which provides health and social services for people 65 and older who would otherwise require institutional care, andCommunity-Based Adult Services, which provide professional care at licensed adult day health centers in the community for disabled people and others at risk of institutionalization.That demand will only grow in coming years, with the need for such services increasing through 2025 and 2030 and into 2050, when people 65 and older are expected to make up some 25% of California ’s population, according to the study.“...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news