This year’s ADvancing States HCBS Conference was both insightful and encouraging, blending forward-looking ideas with high-impact discussions. If you were unable to attend, here’s a summary of key takeaways that stood out to our team.
Big Themes & Trends
From the opening panel to the final panel, three themes dominated the conversation this year:
-
Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA): Within HCBS programs, waste, also more accurately referred to as leakage, is the primary focus. It centers around assessment accuracy and alignment with member acuity.
- Assessment and Service Plan Quality: Aligning acuity with authorized hours begins with assessment accuracy. Many states and plans are looking at ways to strengthen this foundational process.
- Technology: The discussion has moved beyond whether HCBS programs need technology to how they can identify the best partners to ensure program success and members hours are accurately allocated.
Standout Sessions
- Achieving Accountability in the HCBS Assessment & Service Approval Process – Stephanie Rasmussen, VP of LTSS at Centene, and Oliver Yu, Chief Growth Officer at QCSS Health, delivered a thought-provoking talk on the importance of assessment accuracy and accountability throughout the HCBS service approval process.
- Strengthening Oversight and Safeguards in Person-Centered Service Planning – CMS shared how stronger service planning, data, and oversight can help states better align members needs and services they receive, while highlighting that misalignment is an integrity risk for HCBS programs.
Networking & Community
Beyond the sessions, the real magic happened in the hallways, coffee breaks, and after-hours meetups (most notably, the dance party). Attendees connected over shared challenges and experiences, swapped ideas, and even sparked collaborations that could shape the future of HCBS programs at a state and plan level.
Key Takeaways To Use Now
- Assessment Accuracy: Program integrity starts with ensuring assessments and service plans are accurate - this is the foundation for any HCBS program.
- Data: Leverage data at every level of your HCBS program, from tracking member assessed hours to supporting clinical teams with data-driven insights.
- Technology: Utilize a technology partner as an extension of your team to support Utilization Management (UM) and improve overall accuracy.
Looking Ahead
Each year provides valuable insights into how HCBS programs adapt to the evolving LTSS landscape. As states and plans continue to refine their programs over the coming quarters, technology advancements, updated state guidelines, and shared best practices will further enrich the conversations at HCBS 2027. We look forward to continuing to build relationships and sharing insights with you next year!