KCMU notes over 40 percent of total long-term care expenditures in the U.S. are financed through Medicaid. Based on CMS National Health Accounts Data, long-term care accounts for 37 percent of total Medicaid spending with roughly 3 million individuals relying on Medicaid for long-term care. Medicaid offers a continuum of delivery options for long-term care services ranging from nursing home care to home and community based care. Relative to total, spending on home and community based services has grown in recent years. In 2006, home and community based spending was 41 percent of the total as compared to 1990 where such spending was 13 percent of the total.

Growth in the aged population has increased the demand for long-term care services and the demand is expected to continue to increase. Many states are making efforts to make long-term benefits more flexible and allow consumer choice and involvement. States are challenged with ensuring access to needed services while providing cost-effective quality results. As such, more states are turning to partners who can provide solutions to meet these demands.

Centene is positioned as an effective partner and is committed to ensuring that members are involved in their care planning and offers services to support long-term care including a 24-hour nurse hotline, integrated behavioral health programs, home modifications, attendant care, emergency alert systems and equipment to assist with mobility. Centene has proactive member assessments that eliminate functional barriers to care. Through the comprehensive approach, Centene encourages community involvement, consumer-directed care initiatives, team-based care management and integrated systems that facilitate partnerships with providers, caregivers, consumers and social services.