Recertification in New York State

The Medicare program provides important health coverage assistance to older adults and people with disabilities. However, it does not fully pay for all services and medications; people with Medicare pay significant out-of-pocket costs for premiums, coinsurances and deductibles. For low-income consumers, these costs can be prohibitive. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) offer assistance with the costs and help to ensure access to health care. Despite the importance of these programs, states—including New York—often rely on inefficient paper-based recertification processes to determine continued eligibility. Consequently, eligible consumers lose their MSP coverage and risk going without the assistance they need and are entitled to receive…