The IAP has gotten off to an enthusiastic start. The message from states, supporting Substance Use Disorders (SUD) as the first program area, was loud and clear. We received letters of interest from 26 states eager to participate. We couldn’t be more pleased and have engaged each of these 26 states to learn more about how IAP’s technical assistance opportunities can meet their needs and interests. Based on these discussions, the first SUD IAP technical assistance initiative, our High-Intensity Learning Collaborative, will begin with a small group of states in early February 2015. Participating states will be announced in January. A less intense IAP SUD effort focused on Targeted Learning Opportunities will launch with a larger group of states soon after.
As we move forward on our SUD work, we are also preparing for the launch of the next IAP program priority areas. We are listening carefully to our state and stakeholder partners as we develop our plans for delivering the most useful technical support in areas of key interest.
We captured the thoughtful feedback provided to us in the Listening Sessions we held in September and October and we have provided an online summary (PDF, 214.46 KB). This input helped guide us in selecting the following three areas as IAP’s next program priorities:
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Super-utilizers of health care services (target launch in spring 2015)
- Example TA: Conduct state collaborative that provides technical support to help states: (1) identify their target populations using data analytic and predictive modeling tools; (2) select the most appropriate interventions for their target super-utilizer populations; and (3) use data to support interventions (e.g., using hospital admission/discharge/transfer data to allow care teams to meet beneficiaries before they are discharged from hospitals or emergency departments).
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Community integration to support long-term services and supports (target launch summer 2015)
- Example TA: Offer tools and resources that leverage ongoing efforts and knowledge-base (e.g., Balancing Incentives Program/Money Follows the Person).
- Make available technical assistance faculty to support states on implementing selected best practices and effective models of community integration.
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Physical/Mental Health Integration (target launch fall 2015)
- Example TA: Work with states to define, measure, and implement integrated physical and mental health care services.
We hope that by sharing the upcoming IAP program priority areas, we aid states as they plan for participation in upcoming IAP initiatives. As we phase in the next program priority areas, we will engage our state partners to ensure that IAP technical support reflects what states need, work with experts to help identify promising evidence-based initiatives, and continue to finalize our technical assistance offerings in these areas. In addition, we are eager to learn more about ongoing efforts in each of the selected program areas so we can help states build on existing innovations to achieve high-performing programs and better health outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries.
Stay tuned for additional opportunities throughout 2015 to participate in IAP.