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The New York Medicare Savings Coalition
Who We Are
The New York State Medicare Savings Coalition, led by the Medicare Rights Center (MRC), brings together over 150 community-based organizations, advocacy groups, business interests, and government agencies on a monthly basis. The Coalition seeks to increase awareness of, access to, and enrollment in health care assistance programs for low-income older and/or disabled New Yorkers with Medicare.
What We Do
In our monthly meetings, we share updates on Medicare programs and discuss how best to overcome systemic barriers to enrollment in the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) and the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) for Medicare Part D (Extra Help.) In addition to monthly tele-conference meetings, the Coalition stays connected through regular email updates, enrollment initiatives, and advocacy projects. By bringing government officials and advocates into dialogue, meetings offer members the opportunity to discuss the latest information on the implementation of health care programs for people with limited incomes. Partner organizations share knowledge about enrollment strategies and compare case scenarios. With the advent of Medicare Part D, the Coalition has been active in troubleshooting problems with Part D's implementation. The Coalition is currently focusing on how to increase enrollment in Extra Help. Problems with the new privatized drug benefit, such as formulary restrictions, are especially burdensome for people with limited incomes. The Coalition will continue to advocate for improvements in Part D. We also hope to advocate for simpler application and recertification procedures for the MSPs.Our History
The Coalition began in 2001 as a task force of New York City advocates led by AARP. In July 2002, with support from the Robin Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF,) the Medicare Rights Center took the lead in increasing membership throughout New York State.Our Accomplishments
- Strengthened relationships between partner agencies around the common goal of increasing access to health care assistance programs for people with limited incomes.
- Initiated the Deputization Project, which has trained and works with over 100 health care and social work professionals in New York's five boroughs. As a result of helping New Yorkers apply for the Medicare Savings Programs without visiting their local Medicaid office, enrollment in the MSPs has risen by over 25% in the past year.
- 2002: Successfully advocated for the elimination of the resource test for the QI-1 program, helping individuals with resources above $4,000 (above $6,000 for couples) afford their Medicare Part B premium.
- 2004: Successfully advocated for New York State to become a Medicare Part A Buy-In State; as a result, New York State now purchases Medicare hospital coverage for individuals who do not qualify for free hospital coverage based on their employment history.
- Every year since 2003: Successfully urged Congress to re-authorize the QI-1 program.