New Electronic Case Management System for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS)

To meet the demands of an expanding HCBS population, on May 5 the Division of Senior and Disability Services (DSDS) transitioned from CyberAccess to HCBS Fusion. The new system supports the full HCBS lifecycle – from intake and eligibility to assessment, person-centered care planning, service authorization, and ancillary case management. The dynamic workflow supports, scalability, and open architecture allow Fusion to grow alongside Missouri’s expanding population of older adults and to ensure DSDS staff can efficiently navigate complex processes through a single consolidated digital workspace.  The site includes the HCBS Fusion Provider User Guide, access information, FAQs, memorandums, and more. 

Transfer or Discharge Notice Expectations

Please see this Letter to Administrators and Transfer Discharge Tip Sheet-Certified 4.28.25 from the Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office clarifying CMS QSO-25-14-NH that deals with residents returning nursing facilities after transferring to an acute care setting. The correspondence clarifies the requirements for facility transfer or resident discharge and the documentation required for transfers or discharges, along with the email address for sending discharge notices to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman. 

Staff News

The LeadingAge Missouri certification staff will attend an upcoming “Train the Trainer” education program offered by the DHSS Health Education Unit that provides education on CMT classes and certification, from the instructor’s perspective. If you would like information on upskilling your staff for in house training – this is for YOU!  Information on attending can be found on here for the July 10 program in Jefferson City.

Future LeadingAge Missouri Directories

LeadingAge Missouri is pleased to announce a partnership with E&M Consulting, Inc. to produce our digital and printed Membership Directory & Resource Guide.  E&M will manage the entire project, including advertising sales.  We ask members to welcome a call from E&M’s highly professional staff to consider advertising opportunities for your community.  The high-quality publication will be mailed to all LA MO members – a great opportunity for exposure – and we will provide a digital copy to all the Missouri hospitals as a resource for discharge personnel.  If you have questions or want information, contact Ryan Dovenmuehler, E&M Sales Manager, at 800-572-0011 ext. 0119 or ryan.d@eandmsales.com.  Your support of our Directory is appreciated!

Interested in LeadingAge Missouri Board Service?

The nomination process for 2026-2029 board service is now open.  There are open Board seats for Organizational Members and Business Member “experts” (in areas identified by the Board).  Board Meetings are in person in different Missouri locations four times per year for 2-4 hours, with additional virtual meetings as needed.  If you are interested in becoming more engaged with LA MO and have a passion for service and leadership, we welcome your interest. Contact Bill Bates for more information and/or to submit an application.  

Budget Reconciliation

Hill Update: Senate Finance Committee Releases Health and Tax Policy Budget Reconciliation Proposals

The Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, on June 16 released its version of the House’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Initial LeadingAge analysis indicates:

• The health provisions, including retroactive payments, provider taxes, state-directed payments, and work requirements, are worse for older adults than the House version, as explained here.
• On tax issues, the Senate bill includes tax changes generally more favorable than the House’s in several areas, including tax on foundations’ net investment income, expansion of 529 education savings plans, incentives for charitable giving, and more, as outlined in this article. The bill would make some of the House’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit provisions permanent, but it eliminates others: details here.

Urging “No” On H.R. 1, The One Big Beautiful Bill Act

LeadingAge is lobbying for a “no” vote on H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), in the U.S. Senate. To explain the rationale for this position and to provide members with talking points on OBBB impacts, LeadingAge created a suite of materials addressing key areas (all drafted before the Senate Finance Committee bill referenced above was introduced June 16). The talking points also include specific “asks” for changes – because we oppose the bill, but at the same time, want to mitigate the negative impacts on older adults and those who serve them.  These members-only resources (available in the LeadingAge website Resource Library) are: Talking Points: H.R. 1 Medicaid Healthcare Provisions; Talking Points H.R. 1 Medicaid Retroactive Eligibility; Talking Points: H.R. 1 Affordable Housing; Talking Points: H.R. 1 Tax Provisions; and Talking Points: Artificial Intelligence H.R. 1.  To keep up-to-date on the latest OBBB developments visit the Budget Reconciliation 2025 serial post!

Senate HELP Committee: Share Medicaid Cuts’ Impact Stories by June 20

Senate HELP Committee seeks health care providers’ input on the likely effects of huge cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act currently included in budget reconciliation legislation. Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT) asks seven questions about the cuts’ impact on access to care and to insurance coverage, reductions in staff or services, and administrative burdens. Learn more and email responses by June 20.