Medicaid-Medicare alignment, often facilitated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), integrates care for dual-eligible individuals to reduce administrative burden and improve health outcomes. It connects both programs under single, coordinated plans like Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs), PACE, or Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs), streamlining services and enhancing care coordination. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | CMS (.gov) Key Aspects of Alignment: Integrated Care: Combines Medicare and Medicaid benefits—including long-term supports, behavioral health, and prescription drugs—under one plan. Financial Alignment Initiative: CMS tests models, such as capitated (blended payment) or managed fee-for-service, to align financial incentives between federal and state governments. Improved Experience: Aims to provide beneficiaries with unified customer service, a single ID card, and easier appeals processes. Exclusive Aligned Enrollment (EAE): Allows states to encourage or mandate that beneficiaries enroll in a D-SNP and a Medicaid plan operated by the same parent company, ensuring comprehensive, coordinated care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services | CMS (.gov) Models of Alignment: Medicare-Medicaid Plans (MMPs): A single plan handling most benefits for dual-eligibles. PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): A specific, comprehensive model focused on community-based care. D-SNPs (Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans): Medicare Advantage plans designed for individuals with both Medicare and Medicaid, often aligned with a Medicaid plan from the same insurer. Benefits of Alignment: For Beneficiaries: Better care coordination, easier access to services, and simplified information. For Providers: Simplified billing and fewer administrative barriers. For States: Reduced cost-shifting between program