1.This Act may be cited as the
Care Coordination for Older Americans
Act of 2012
.
2.Declaration of
objectivesSection 101(4) of
the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001(4)) is amended by inserting
care coordination and
after including
.
3.Section 102 of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(55)(A)The term care coordination
means a person- and family-centered, assessment-based, and interdisciplinary
approach to meet the needs and preferences of an older individual and a family
caregiver while enhancing the capabilities of the older individual (including
the ability to self-direct services).
(B)The term care coordination
means coordination that—
(i)integrates health care, long-term services
and supports, housing, and social support services in a high-quality and
cost-effective manner in which an individual’s needs, preferences, and
capabilities are assessed, along with the needs and preferences of a family
caregiver;
(ii)includes, as a core element, the active
involvement of the older individual, the family, or a representative appointed
by the older individual or legally acting on the individual’s behalf,
community-based service professionals, and health care professionals providing
care to the older individual, in the design and implementation of an
individualized, individual-centered service and support plan, through which the
services and supports will be provided in a manner free from conflicts of
interest;
(iii)integrates services and interventions that
are implemented, monitored, and evaluated for effectiveness using an
evidence-based process, which typically involves a designated lead care
coordinator and involves feedback from the older individual;
(iv)includes activities that aim simultaneously
at meeting individual and family needs and preferences, building on individual
capabilities, and improving outcomes and systems of care;
(v)includes provision of some or all
of the services and activities described in clauses (i) through (iv) by trained
professionals employed by or under a contract with—
(I)area agencies on aging;
(II)Aging and Disability Resource Centers;
or
(III)other service providers, including
in-home service providers; and
(vi)is not furnished to directly
diagnose, treat, or cure a medical disease or
condition.
.
4.Functions of the
Assistant SecretarySection
202(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3012(a)) is
amended—
(1)in paragraph (27), by striking
and
at the end;
(2)in paragraph (28), by striking the period
and inserting ; and
; and
(3)by adding at the
end the following:
(29)(A)encourage, provide
technical assistance to, and share best practices with, States, area agencies
on aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and service providers to carry
out outreach and coordinate activities with health care entities in order to
assure better care coordination for individuals with multiple chronic
illnesses; and
(B)coordinate activities with other
Federal agencies that are working to improve care coordination and developing
new models and best
practices.
.
5.Section 305(a) of the Older Americans Act of
1965 (42 U.S.C. 3025(g)) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (2),
by striking and
at the end;
(2)in paragraph (3), by striking the period
and inserting ; and
; and
(3)by adding at the
end the following:
(4)the State agency
shall promote the development and implementation of a State system to address
the care coordination needs of older individuals with multiple chronic
illnesses, and shall work with acute care providers, area agencies on aging,
service providers, and Federal agencies to ensure that the system uses best
practices and is evaluated on its provision of care
coordination.
.
6.Section 306(a) of the
Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3026(a)) is amended—
(1)in paragraph
(4)(B)(i)(VII) by inserting with multiple chronic illnesses or
after older individuals
;
(2)in paragraph (6)(D), by inserting
(including acute care providers)
after service
providers
;
(3)in paragraph (16),
by striking and
at the end;
(4)in paragraph (17) by striking the period
and inserting ; and
; and
(5)by adding at the
end the following:
(18)provide
assurances that the area agency on aging will—
(A)identify existing
(as of the date of submission of the plan) care coordination programs and
systems;
(B)identify unmet
community need for care coordination;
(C)facilitate the
development and implementation of an area-wide system to address the care
coordination needs of older individuals with multiple chronic illnesses;
and
(D)work with acute
care providers, service providers, and Federal and State agencies to ensure
that the system uses best practices in its provision of care
coordination.
.
7.Section 307(a) of the
Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3027(a)) is amended—
(1)in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting
care coordination,
after information and
assistance,
;
(2)in paragraph (17),
by striking and develop collaborative programs, where
appropriate,
and inserting , ensure care coordination, and
(where appropriate) develop collaborative programs,
;
(3)in paragraph (18),
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting and ensure care
coordination that integrates long-term care services and other care
services,
before for older
;
(4)in paragraph (23),
by striking with other State services
and inserting with
other Federal and State health care programs and services
; and
(5)by adding at the
end the following:
(31)The plan shall
provide assurances that the area agencies on aging in the State will facilitate
the area-wide development and implementation of an area-wide system to address
the care coordination needs of older individuals with multiple chronic
illnesses, and work with acute care providers, service providers, and other
Federal and State agencies to ensure that the system uses best practices and is
evaluated on its provision of care
coordination.
.