Improving Participation in the Medicare Savings Programs

The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) provide Medicaid assistance with Medicare premiums and cost sharing to certain low-income individuals. Low enrollment has been an ongoing concern for policymakers because lack of cost sharing assistance can reduce beneficiary use of services. This presentation provides information on individuals who are eligible for, but not enrolled in the MSPs, and barriers to enrollment. It also presents a number of policy options for increasing enrollment in the MSPs. Options range from enabling automatic enrollment in the MSPs by making eligibility standards match the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy program, to simplifying and improving enrollment, to improving outreach.