| Title | Medicare savings programs: analyzing options for expanding eligibility. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2009 |
| Authors | Zuckerman, S, Shang, B, Waidmann, TA |
| Journal | Inquiry |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pagination | 391-404 |
| Date Published | 2009-2010 Winter |
| ISSN Number | 0046-9580 |
| Keywords | Aged, 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 |
| URL | URL:http://www.inquiryjournal.org Publisher's URL |
| DOI | 10.5034/inquiryjrnl_46.4.391 |
| User Guide Notes | |
| 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 Journal | Inquiry |
| Citation Key | 7400 |
| PubMed ID | 20184166 |
