In 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule requiring states to establish or strengthen Beneficiary Advisory Councils (BACs) — groups of Medicaid members, families, and caregivers that provide input on a range of topics, including covered services, care coordination, eligibility, enrollment, and cultural competency. Over the past year, states have partnered with Medicaid members and community-based organizations (CBOs) to design and recruit BACs that reflect CMS’ vision for incorporating member perspectives into Medicaid program and policy decisions.
Through the Building State Capacity for Community-Informed Policymaking Learning and Action Series, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) supported seven states in designing and implementing effective BACs, in partnership with CBOs. This webinar shared key lessons from the series, highlighting state experiences in developing BAC structures, recruitment strategies, charters and bylaws, and compensation policies. CHCS led a conversation with panelists from Maine and North Dakota — including state agency staff, a Medicaid member, and a CBO representative —who shared their insights from designing BACs and discussed their plans for sustaining and evolving member engagement over time.
Agenda
I. Welcome and Introduction
Speaker: Shilpa Patel, Director, Population Health, CHCS
S. Patel welcomed participants and provided an overview of the agenda.
II. Beneficiary Advisory Councils: Lessons from the Field
Speakers: Anna Spencer, Senior Program Officer, CHCS and Maikhou Thao, Everyday Impact Consulting
A. Spencer summarized key lessons from CHCS’ work with states in establishing BACs, including innovative approaches used by participating states. M. Thao spoke briefly on Everyday Impact’s role in the BAC LC. A. Spencer highlighted state examples and shared practical resources to support BAC development and implementation.
III. Engaging Medicaid Members: Insights from Maine and North Dakota
- Sana Osman, Member Engagement Manager, Office of MaineCare Services
- Ann Woloson, Executive Director, Consumers for Affordable Health Care
- Jen Sheppard, Member Liaison, North Dakota Department of Health Services
- Eldor Scheid, North Dakota Member Engagement Committee Member
A. Spencer led a discussion with North Dakota and Maine on their approaches to standing up their BACs, the value of member and CBO engagement in shaping BACs, and the ongoing role members and community-partners can play.
IV. Moderated Q&A
Moderator: Disha Williams, Senior Program Officer, CHCS
