Improving Participation in the Medicare Savings Programs

Low-income Medicare beneficiaries may receive assistance in paying for premiums, cost sharing, or both, through the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) which are administered by state Medicaid agencies.  But low enrollment in the MSPs has been an ongoing concern for policymakers because cost sharing assistance can affect beneficiary use of services. In Chapter 3 the Commission recommends making two changes in federal law that would streamline eligibility determinations and improve information sharing between the Social Security Administration and the states. This would ease administrative burden for states and beneficiaries and contribute to increased enrollment in the MSPs.