Longevity is a Good Thing?

Why does Stonewall CDC spend so much time seeking innovation in health systems for older adults? Because the long-term care system is collapsing as the need for services is skyrocketing. There are several reasons for this.

One is exploding costs. According to the NYS Department of Financial Services, entrance fees for Continuous Care Retiremen Communities can range in price from approximately $200,000 to $1 million. There is also an additional monthly fee that typically ranges from approximately $2,000 to $5,000. This is obviously a statewide estimate. Looking at five NYC CCRC’s, monthly base charges run $5300, $7222, $10,795, $12,800 and $14,164 respectively.

Another reason for distress in the industry is actuarial: there are many more people living longer than expected, needing more care for longer. Demand is outpacing resources, and the numbers the industry was built on no longer work. It is a small percentage of the population that can afford the premiums for a long-term care insurance plan that will cover their actual needs.

In New York State, another reason is political. Cuomo’s “medicaid redesign” of long-term care has been a disaster. Managed Long Term Care Programs (MLTC’s) are the insurance industry middlemen, who provide very little value, but control all contracts for billing the state for home care. Providers must go through an MLTC to receive reimbursements from the state.

MLTC’s have sole discretion to set wages that providers are allowed to pay workers and decide how much service a client can access. There is no transparency – these companies don’t have to report on their margins or justify their care decisions. Medical recommendations on care needs are routinely ignored and low-balled by the MLTC’s. And wages for homecare workers have plummeted, causing them to flee the sector in droves.

Stonewall CDC is initiating a national cross-sector conversation on solutions to these issues. The first online discussion will be March 13th at 11am EST. Register for ““Breaking News: Truths about Longevity in the LGBTQ+ Community” at LINK

Stonewall Community Development Corporation announces the beginning of a groundbreaking national discussion on the future of aging with nationally-renowned author Joy Loverde. On March 13th at 11am EST Joy will facilitate an online discussion titled “Breaking News: Truths about Longevity in the LGBTQ+ Community.” Save the date by registering here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAld--vpzMjGdRoJAMGisG-DOw0vHBEbvwo

Why does Stonewall CDC spend so much time seeking innovation in health systems for older adults?  Because the long-term care system is collapsing as the need for services is skyrocketing.  There are several reasons for this. 

One is exploding costs. According to the NYS Department of Financial Services, entrance fees for Continuous Care Retiremen Communities can range in price from approximately $200,000 to $1 million. There is also an additional monthly fee that typically ranges from approximately $2,000 to $5,000.  This is obviously a statewide estimate.  Looking at five NYC CCRC’s, monthly base charges run $5300, $7222, $10,795, $12,800 and $14,164 respectively.

Another reason for distress in the industry is actuarial: there are many more people living longer than expected, needing more care for longer.  Demand is outpacing resources, and the numbers the industry was built on no longer work.  It is a small percentage of the population that can afford the premiums for a long-term care insurance plan that will cover their actual needs.

In New York State, another reason is political.  Cuomo’s “medicaid redesign” of long-term care has been a disaster.  Managed Long Term Care Programs (MLTC’s) are the insurance industry middlemen, who provide very little value, but control all contracts for billing the state for home care.  Providers must go through an MLTC to receive reimbursements from the state.

MLTC’s have sole discretion to set wages that providers can pay workers and decide how much service a client can access.  There is no transparency – these companies don’t have to report on their margins or justify their care decisions.  Medical recommendations on care needs are routinely ignored and low-balled by the MLTC’s.  And wages for homecare workers have plummeted, causing them to flee the sector in droves. 

Stonewall CDC is initiating a national cross-sector conversation on solutions to these issues.  The first online discussion will be March 13th at 11am EST.  Register for ““Breaking News: Truths about Longevity in the LGBTQ+ Community” at LINK

Stonewall Community Development Corporation announces the beginning of a groundbreaking national discussion on the future of aging with nationally-renowned author Joy Loverde.  On March 13th at 11am EST Joy will facilitate an online discussion titled “Breaking News: Truths about Longevity in the LGBTQ+ Community.”  Save the date by registering here https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAld--vpzMjGdRoJAMGisG-DOw0vHBEbvwo