2025 HCBS Conference: Insights and opportunities shaping health care

ADvancing States, a national organization representing state agencies on aging, disabilities and long-term services and supports (LTSS), hosted its annual Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference from August 24–28 in Baltimore, Maryland. UnitedHealthcare Community & State proudly participated as one of the sponsors and in two of the panel discussions at the event.

Industry collaboration

Organizations including health plans, advocates, service and product vendors, and federal, state, and local officials were brought together to collaborate and share insights into the aging and disability sector of health care over a wide range of topics, including:

• Supporting caregivers and the direct care workforce
• The role of managed long-term services and supports (MLTSS) in supporting states, beneficiaries, and caregivers
• Supporting the No Wrong Door (NWD) system initiative to create a one-stop access point for LTSS
• Strategies to meet federal rules and update modernize State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)

Per Angela Lello, Regional Policy & Advocacy Director of Community & State “Some of the highlights included the peer-led sessions, insights and perspectives shared by staff from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Administration for Community Living, as well as networking opportunities that fostered collaboration across states and sectors.”

UnitedHealthcare Community & State also had the honor of participating in two of the panel discussions. In a session titled "How managed care leverages technology to promote independent living: Lessons learned from Kansas," UnitedHealthcare's Melody Dowling, Director of Health Services, and Nikhil Holla, Regional Policy & Advocacy Director, presented alongside Monte Coffman, Executive Director of Windsor Place, a home health agency with offices across Kansas. They discussed their "Nursing home without walls" initiative, which combines enabling technologies including voice-activated communication, motion and activity monitoring and remote patient monitoring with attendant care and homemaker services. This integrated approach aims to maximize individuals' potential to live independently at home. The presenters shared best practices for deploying these solutions, their impact on member health and policy considerations for future expansion.

In a session titled "Addressing direct care workforce shortages through person-centered care options," UnitedHealthcare's Abby Gadbois, Associate Director of Policy, joined the National MLTSS Association and Elevance Health to explore innovative workforce solutions. The direct care workforce, currently numbering over 5M and projected demand to 8.9M by 2032, faces significant challenges, including an annual turnover rate as high as 80% among home care workers. The panel highlighted  how MLTSS plans and states can leverage enabling technologies and self-direction as person-centered  alternatives to traditional workforce approaches.

As a Diamond level sponsor, UnitedHealthcare Community & State connected with attendees through an exhibit centered around the

theme of connection, showcasing how enabling technology can enhance care at home. Our presence not only highlighted innovative solutions but also fostered meaningful interactions. Additionally, we sponsored the conference's dance party, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere that promoted health, wellness and social connection among participants.

Key takeaways

A few of the high-level takeaways from the conference include:

• Positive reception to advancing HCBS design, benefits, coordination and IT
• CMS developing new quality measures and experience surveys for youth receiving HCBS
• States moving forward on implementing Medicaid Access and Managed Care Final Rules

The collaboration with ADvancing States provides both granular and high-level insights into state policy and operational priorities. The HCBS conference is one example of how this relationship provides UnitedHealthcare Community & State with direct access to those insights and opportunities to engage with state officials.

UnitedHealthcare’s continued support for states, particularly in understanding and preparing for policy and operation changes will be increasingly valuable as states address budgetary constraints and implementation complexities.

Learn how we support our senior members at a local level by visiting our D.C. profile page.

Enjoy this article? Get future Community & State insights delivered right to your inbox.