The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a rule that will simplify processes for Medicare beneficiaries to enroll and retain eligibility in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). CMS estimates that the changes in the rule will result in 860,000 more individuals participating in MSPs. The final rule includes the following:
- Automatically enrolls certain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) beneficiaries into the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) group;
- Improves process for Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program to enroll eligible individuals in the MSPs;
- Reduces the burden on MSP applicants to produce certain types of documentation prior to enrollment
The MSPs provide critical support for low-income Medicare beneficiaries to cover essential health care costs. Currently, only about half of those who are eligible are enrolled in these programs. The Center for Medicare Advocacy is pleased with the changes in the final rule that streamline applications, and is hopeful that these changes will lead to an increase in enrollment.
September 28, 2023 – K. Kertesz