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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.
In recent years, insurance companies have flooded the MA market with plans that are difficult to tell apart, creating overwhelm and confusion that costs both beneficiaries and the Medicare program more than Original Medicare. This report addresses the causes and consequences of the rapid proliferation of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans in the absence of adequate consumer guidance and federal regulation.
The first part of the series explores the origins and structure of Medicare financing. Through an issue brief, infographic, and video, it outlines the various sources of funding for the three major parts of Medicare and lays out how projections and costs have fluctuated over the program’s history.
Without Medicaid, many Medicare enrollees—especially those with limited income—would struggle to afford care, risking their health or having to choose between medical care and housing, food and other essentials. Cutting Medicaid would directly harm millions of Medicare enrollees and increase costs for the Medicare program and state budgets.
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
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.Â
