Medicare savings programs: analyzing options for expanding eligibility.

TitleMedicare savings programs: analyzing options for expanding eligibility.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsZuckerman, S, Shang, B, Waidmann, TA
JournalInquiry
Volume46
Issue4
Pagination391-404
Date Published2009-2010 Winter
ISSN Number0046-9580
KeywordsAged, Demography, Disabled Persons, Eligibility Determination, Female, Health Status, Humans, Income, Male, Medical Assistance, Medicare, Medicare Part D, Public Policy, United States
Abstract

The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are designed to provide financial assistance to Medicare beneficiaries who do not qualify for full Medicaid coverage. This paper considers changes in eligibility that would better align MSP program rules with those related to receiving low-income subsidies for the Medicare Part D drug benefit. These changes would make more people eligible for the MSPs and could encourage greater participation; similar changes were incorporated in recently passed legislation. Our analysis, based on 2006 data from the Health and Retirement Study, shows there is a trade-off between making larger numbers of beneficiaries eligible by eliminating resource requirements and better targeting of individuals with greater health care needs by expanding income standards.

Notes

Journal Article

URLURL:http://www.inquiryjournal.org Publisher's URL
DOI10.5034/inquiryjrnl_46.4.391
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20184166?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Analysis of Health Care Markets/Health: Government Policy,/Public Health/Medicare Savings Programs/Health Care/Medicare/Medicare Part D

Endnote ID

22150

Alternate JournalInquiry
Citation Key7400
PubMed ID20184166