To make it clear what a difference MSP enrollment can have in the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, and to support advocacy efforts to expand MSP eligibility and enrollment, Medicare Rights has compiled a set of case studies from its national helpline. These cases show what obstacles beneficiaries commonly face when trying to enroll and stay enrolled in MSPs and reinforce the role the benefit plays in real people’s lives.
Medicare guarantees access to health care for older adults and people with disabilities. Together with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, Medicare builds health security and well-being for New Yorkers of all ages. Any changes to these programs, whether at the state or federal level, must aim for healthier people, better care, and smarter spending—not paying more for less.
This report features the top helpline trends and highlights the most commonly sought helpline and Medicare Interactive answers, providing a glimpse into the various questions and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and the professionals assisting them in the community in 2023.
This case study focuses on how automatic enrollment in Medicare Savings Programs can remove many individuals' barriers when enrolling. Simplifying the enrollment process is essential to increasing participation and ensuring that more people can benefit from these vital programs.
Medicare Savings Program recertification varies widely nationwide. This case study compares two experiences—one with automatic recertification and one with a more complex process—to illustrate the need for nationwide Medicare Savings Program recertification improvements.
Renewing Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid is necessary to maintain benefits. This case study contrasts a complicated renewal process with one eased by COVID-19 public health emergency flexibilities, arguing for lasting reforms in Medicaid renewal procedures.
Coordinating benefits and services for dually eligible individuals is often complex and disjointed. This study examines the challenges of poorly integrated care and offers recommendations for improving integration at both state and federal levels.
Medicare Rights' comments are informed by our work helping thousands of people with Medicare apply for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has documented, MSP processes are notoriously confusing for applicants, as well as many advocates and eligibility workers.
In 2022, Medicare Rights staff and volunteers addressed more than 27,000 questions through its national helpline and professional email channels. Additionally, Medicare Rights’ free and independent online reference tool, Medicare Interactive (MI), provided more than 2.6 million answers for beneficiaries, their caregivers, and professionals. This report features the top helpline trends and highlights the most commonly sought helpline and Medicare Interactive answers, providing a glimpse into the various questions and needs of Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and the professionals assisting them in the community in 2022.
Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program (also called “Extra Help”) can be a lifeline, helping low- and moderate-income beneficiaries pay for coverage they would not otherwise be able to afford. But aspects of the program are woefully outdated, making it difficult for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries to access the help they need.
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