Adequately Fund Medicare Outreach Programs

Medicare State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselors—most of whom are highly-trained volunteers—provide one-on-one, unbiased, personalized counseling to Medicare beneficiaries, helping them understand their rights and coverage options. And through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), SHIPs, Area Agencies on Aging, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers help low-income Medicare beneficiaries access programs that make their health care and prescription drugs affordable. Congress should adequately fund these programs and make MIPPA permanent in order to better meet current and future needs.