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Based on a 2026 KFF survey of state Medicaid home care programs, nearly all responding states exceed federal electronic visit verification (EVV) requirements and use a multifaceted approach to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Most states analyze claims by provider and enrollee, update care plans annually or more frequently, require in-person assessments, and verify claims against authorizations prior to payment, with a vast majority implementing all eight key program integrity strategies. Furthermore, states are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools—such as predictive algorithms and aggregated grievance monitoring—to enhance data oversight and program integrity, particularly across waiver programs for older adults, individuals with physical disabilities, and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.



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The National MLTSS Health Plan Association announced the release of a new brief titled Self-Direction 2.0 Framework: Advancing Self-Direction in a Managed Long-Term Services and Supports (MLTSS) Ecosystem, which provides actionable recommendations to improve person-centered and sustainable self-direction programs. Developed in partnership with the Self-Direction Center and the association's Self-Direction Workgroup—consisting of health plan experts and partnership program participants—this publication is the first in a series of briefs scheduled for release.



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Starting this month, families can open Trump Accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028, which include a $1,000 federal contribution. However, once these children reach adulthood, the money saved in these accounts will count against the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program's strict $2,000 asset limit. Because SSI asset limits have been frozen for nearly 40 years without adjusting for inflation, the growth of these accounts threatens to disqualify low-income disabled young adults from essential SSI benefits and Medicaid coverage unless they transfer the funds into ABLE accounts by age 17 or Congress raises the limits.



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This NBC News report examines how a Trump administration policy memo, which makes it easier for states to institutionalize homeless individuals with mental health issues, has coincided with the Justice Department backing away from civil rights cases protecting disabled Americans. Advocates and disabled individuals are raising alarms that these combined actions threaten long-standing community-living protections under the Olmstead decision, potentially triggering a nationwide rollback of disability rights and an increase in forced institutionalization.

 


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The article from The Arc details the struggles of Chad, an individual with a disability who faced ongoing Supplemental Security Income overpayments from the Social Security Administration despite promptly reporting income from a part-time internship. Despite his persistent efforts to fix the error, the continued extra payments and stringent asset limits created immense financial stress and vulnerability. Chad's experience highlights systemic flaws within the system—such as administrative burdens, outdated technology, and long wait times—that ultimately penalize individuals with disabilities for attempting to work and achieve financial independence.



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Federal officials are planning to significantly scale back the National Health Interview Survey—cutting the questionnaire down from nearly 490 questions to roughly 200 to 225 items—due to tightening budgets, staff reductions, and declining response rates. Disability advocates and researchers are deeply concerned that removing crucial questions about mobility, vision, hearing, and daily functioning will lead to many disabled Americans being miscategorized and undercounted, potentially leaving the government unable to accurately track their health needs or measure the impacts of health insurance changes.



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The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process and subsequent mandatory 24-month Medicare waiting period can leave many people with long-term disabilities at risk of going without health coverage, with over 1 in 4 relying on Medicaid expansion in the interim. However, upcoming federal work requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees threaten this safety net starting in January 2027. Because SSDI applicants and individuals waiting for Medicare are generally unable to work due to their disabilities, they will likely need to rely on medical frailty exemptions to maintain coverage. Although federal guidance provides frameworks for states to verify medical frailty using claims data, strict documentation and verification rules could still create significant administrative hurdles, putting vulnerable individuals at risk of losing their health insurance..

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The upcoming gubernatorial debates in Wisconsin are criticized for completely overlooking critical issues impacting older adults, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities—a demographic representing over half of the state's population. Despite a rapidly aging population and significant systemic gaps in health, housing, transportation, long-term care, and education, candidates are not scheduled to address these pressing concerns. Advocates emphasize that aging and disability issues affect everyone and require urgent attention from state leadership as future policy decisions will dictate the quality of care and community support available for generations.



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Smart glasses are providing life-changing independence and workplace assistance for blind and deaf individuals by offering hands-free navigation, real-time captioning, and descriptive AI tools. However, the technology is currently facing intense public scrutiny and calls for import bans, restrictions, and privacy reviews due to concerns over covert filming and data security vulnerabilities. Disability advocates are concerned that negative media rhetoric and sweeping bans might stigmatize the devices and limit access for those who rely on them as essential daily disability aids.



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The National Council on Disability (NCD), an independent federal agency, released its annual report to the President and Congress on the past year in disability policy. The report notes historic employment gains. It also flags concerns about Medicaid changes, delayed accessibility rules including web accessibility, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) new interpretation of Olmstead v. L.C., and reintroduced bills that could weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It closes with recommendations to protect the ADA’s goals of independent living and full participation.

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