Aging Practice Tools

The Medicare home health benefit, which includes medical social services, has long been essential to beneficiaries living with acute, chronic, and advanced health conditions. Access to home health services is of utmost importance during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This Practice Alert provides an overview of the Medicare home health benefit; describes NASW’s advocacy on behalf of both home health social workers and beneficiaries served during the COVID-19 pandemic; and clarifies the status of home health social work under the Patient-Driven Groupings Model.

The Medicare open enrollment period began on October 15, 2019, and ends on December 7. During this period beneficiaries can review, compare, and switch their prescription drug (Part D) and health coverage. This NASW Practice Alert provides basic information on that process, a brief introduction to the new Medicare Plan Finder, and a summary of NASW’s perspective on Medicare privatization.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published a final rule that affects beneficiaries who seek or receive care in long-term care (LTC) facilities—defined by CMS as nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities that participate in Medicaid and Medicare, respectively. The rule, which took effect in most LTC facilities on September 16, 2019, addresses the controversial use of predispute binding arbitration agreements between LTC facilities and residents. Knowledge of this rule is essential not only for social workers employed by LTC facilities, but also for social workers who serve LTC facility residents, potential residents, and family caregivers in other capacities.

Join NASW in observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15 and throughout the month. WEAAD raises awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and reaffirms our society's commitment to the principle of justice for all. Read this NASW Practice Alert to learn about the association's recent elder justice activities and how you can get involved in WEAAD and the elder justice movement. Find free resources and tools to enhance your work with, and on behalf of, older adults.

Celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM) with NASW this May and keep the momentum going in June. Use this new NASW Practice Alert to find free materials for this year's OAM theme, to read about NASW's recent advocacy in aging and engage with your Members of Congress, to learn about NASW professional development programs related to aging, and to find other aging-focused resources within and beyond NASW.

One of the most frequently asked questions from NASW members is, “What is NASW doing to advocate for social workers?” In response to this popular question, the clinical team developed this advocacy booklet for members.