Two years after President Obama signed the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA), HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that more than two million more children were served by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) at some point over the past year.
Together, the two programs serve more than 42 million children who would otherwise not have access to regular medical care. CHIPRA was signed into law on February 4, 2009.
"The increase in the number of children served by these two vital programs is especially significant in the face of the recent economic downturn states are experiencing," said Secretary Sebelius. "Even in times of hardship states have demonstrated their commitment to the health of children by continuing efforts to identify and enroll them in coverage."
To continue to advance coverage for children, Secretary Sebelius today also announced $40 million in new grants to states, community-based organizations, school systems and others to support their outreach and enrollment activities. The grants will help states further modernize and streamline their administrative systems, as well as create and implement school-based outreach strategies and approaches for identifying children who have historically been hard to reach.
Today's grant announcement builds on $206 million in enrollment bonuses earned by 15 states last year that increased enrollment above specific target levels. The bonus funds help states cover the cost of enrolling additional children in Medicaid.
"As we mark the second anniversary of one of President Obama's first actions as President, we can be confident that CHIPRA has proven to be a tremendous success," said Sebelius. "Now we must build on our accomplishments. Today, I am again calling on leaders across the country - from federal, state and local officials to private sector leaders - to join our effort to insure more children. We all have a stake in America's children and together, we will ensure millions more children get the care they need."
States were able to increase enrollment in the two programs in part because of boosts in federal support provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA temporarily increased federal matching funds for state Medicaid programs during the recession.
While Medicaid and CHIP have helped bring the rate of uninsured children to the lowest level in more than two decades, an estimated five million uninsured children are thought to be eligible for one of these programs, yet not covered.
The Secretary's Challenge: Connecting Kids to Coverage, launched last year, will continue support efforts to reach more children by providing leaders with critical information and support as they work to insure more children in their communities and by closely monitoring progress.
"States' continued progress toward enrolling all eligible children in coverage is a significant step in cushioning the recession's impact on access to health insurance," said Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid CHIP, and Survey & Certification within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). "As families lose employment or have their hours cut back they may lose the health coverage benefit that came with that job. If not for these two programs, millions more children would go without critical health care services."
In its second annual report on CHIP and Medicaid enrollment, CMS notes that:
. More than 2 million children gained Medicaid or CHIP coverage during federal fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010). In total, Medicaid and CHIP served more than 42 million children last year. This steady increase in enrollment is evidence of the important role that Medicaid and CHIP play for children, especially during economic downturns. The uninsured rate for children continues to decline at a time with the rate for adults is climbing. The increase in children's enrollment demonstrates that Medicaid and CHIP are serving the purpose for which they were created - providing high quality health coverage for lower-income families.
. Thirteen states implemented eligibility expansions in 2010 and many others simplified their enrollment and renewal procedures. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia now cover children with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) in Medicaid and CHIP; with 24 of those states and the District of Columbia covering children with incomes up to 250 percent of the FPL. Twenty-one states now offer coverage to lawfully residing immigrant children and/or pregnant women, enabling states to receive federal funding for this coverage.
. CHIPRA Performance Bonuses have encouraged states to adopt and augment simplification measures in Medicaid and CHIP. Fifteen states qualified for a total of $206 million in performance bonuses for FY 2010; this is a significant increase over 2009 where 10 states received bonuses totaling $75 million. These bonuses provide additional federal financial support each year to states that successfully boost enrollment above target levels among previously eligible but uninsured children in Medicaid. To qualify, a state not only has to enroll more children, but must also have implemented program features that are designed to promote enrollment of eligible children.
. States are increasing their use of technology to facilitate children's enrollment and retention. Nearly two-thirds of states (32) have an on-line application that can be submitted electronically; 29 states allow electronic signatures on those applications. Six states have received approval to enroll children through the "Express Lane Eligibility" option created by CHIPRA. Express lane eligibility allows states to use data gathered for other programs such as housing assistance or food stamps to determine Medicaid or CHIP eligibility. And 33 states are utilizing the CHIPRA data matching process provided by the Social Security Administration to confirm U.S. citizenship for children.
. Outreach and enrollment grants have advanced coverage and led to public-private partnerships throughout the country to enroll more children. Sixty-eight grantees across 41 States and the District of Columbia are working diligently to facilitate children's enrollment in health coverage.
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Showing posts with label grants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grants. Show all posts
Friday, February 04, 2011
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Forty-eight states receive new resources to build competitive health insurance marketplaces
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today awarded nearly $49 million to help 48 states and the District of Columbia plan for the establishment of health insurance exchanges. A key part of the Affordable Care Act, starting in 2014, health insurance exchanges - new, competitive, consumer-centered private health insurance marketplaces - will put greater control and greater choice in the hands of individuals and small businesses.
"Today, too many individuals and small businesses are on their own in dealing with insurance companies. They pay higher costs than Americans who get their insurance through big companies or other large employers because they can't pool their costs or spread the risk," said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "That's why the Affordable Care Act helps states create exchanges, so individuals and small businesses can band together, have the same purchasing power as those big employers, and get a fairer deal when it comes to their health care. Today, we're providing critical resources to help states take the first step toward creating these competitive marketplaces."
The state-based exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier by providing eligible consumers and businesses with "one-stop-shopping" where they can compare and purchase health insurance coverage. Americans will have the same health care choices as members of Congress - who will also purchase coverage through the exchanges. Individuals and families purchasing health insurance through exchanges may also qualify for tax credits and reduced cost-sharing depending on their income.
These grants of up to $1 million each will give states the resources they need to conduct the research and planning needed to build a better health insurance marketplace and determine how their exchanges will be operated and governed, including:
. Assessing current information technology (IT) systems and infrastructure and determining new requirements.
. Developing partnerships with community organizations to gain public input into the exchange planning process.
. Planning for consumer call centers to answer questions from their residents.
. Determining the statutory rules needed to build the exchanges.
. Hiring key staff and determining ongoing staffing needs.
. Planning the coordination of eligibility and enrollment systems across Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the exchanges.
. Developing performance metrics, milestones and ongoing evaluation.
Although state exchanges are not required to be operational until 2014, these planning grants begin the path toward 2014 when health insurance exchanges will take what is now a very complicated and confusing process and turn it into a simple, easy to navigate experience that benefits consumers, not insurance companies.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with states in implementing the Affordable Care Act. This is just the first round of state planning and establishment grants, which are one of several resources available to states to help with implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Already, 46 states have received resources from the Affordable Care Act to help improve the oversight of proposed health insurance premium increases, take action against insurers seeking unreasonable rate hikes, and ensure consumers receive value for their premium dollars. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act please visit www.HealthCare.gov.
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"Today, too many individuals and small businesses are on their own in dealing with insurance companies. They pay higher costs than Americans who get their insurance through big companies or other large employers because they can't pool their costs or spread the risk," said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "That's why the Affordable Care Act helps states create exchanges, so individuals and small businesses can band together, have the same purchasing power as those big employers, and get a fairer deal when it comes to their health care. Today, we're providing critical resources to help states take the first step toward creating these competitive marketplaces."
The state-based exchanges will make purchasing health insurance easier by providing eligible consumers and businesses with "one-stop-shopping" where they can compare and purchase health insurance coverage. Americans will have the same health care choices as members of Congress - who will also purchase coverage through the exchanges. Individuals and families purchasing health insurance through exchanges may also qualify for tax credits and reduced cost-sharing depending on their income.
These grants of up to $1 million each will give states the resources they need to conduct the research and planning needed to build a better health insurance marketplace and determine how their exchanges will be operated and governed, including:
. Assessing current information technology (IT) systems and infrastructure and determining new requirements.
. Developing partnerships with community organizations to gain public input into the exchange planning process.
. Planning for consumer call centers to answer questions from their residents.
. Determining the statutory rules needed to build the exchanges.
. Hiring key staff and determining ongoing staffing needs.
. Planning the coordination of eligibility and enrollment systems across Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the exchanges.
. Developing performance metrics, milestones and ongoing evaluation.
Although state exchanges are not required to be operational until 2014, these planning grants begin the path toward 2014 when health insurance exchanges will take what is now a very complicated and confusing process and turn it into a simple, easy to navigate experience that benefits consumers, not insurance companies.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working closely with states in implementing the Affordable Care Act. This is just the first round of state planning and establishment grants, which are one of several resources available to states to help with implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Already, 46 states have received resources from the Affordable Care Act to help improve the oversight of proposed health insurance premium increases, take action against insurers seeking unreasonable rate hikes, and ensure consumers receive value for their premium dollars. To learn more about the Affordable Care Act please visit www.HealthCare.gov.
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Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Secretary Sebelius Announces $51 Million in Affordable Care Act Grants to Innovate, Improve and Enhance Health Insurance Premium Rate Review
New grant program providing $250 million to states over next five years will strengthen oversight of insurance premiums and rate hikes
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today (June 7) announced the availability of $51 million in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through the Affordable Care Act. These funds are the first round of grants available to states through a new $250 million grant program to create and strengthen insurance rate review processes.
"This is an important step in putting consumers back in control of their health care," said Secretary Sebelius. "These new grants will help states protect consumers and small employers by holding insurers accountable for unreasonable insurance rate increases that have made coverage unaffordable for many American families. By strengthening oversight of insurance premiums, these grants will help put affordable coverage back within the reach for Americans who have been hit hard by skyrocketing costs."
All states and the District of Columbia are eligible for this first round of rate review grants. To receive a grant, a state must submit a plan for how it will use grant funds to develop or enhance its process of reviewing and approving, disapproving, or modifying health insurance premium requests. States with successful applications will receive a $1 million grant during the first round.
"These funds will help states strengthen their oversight capabilities and will allow states that do not currently review rates to establish a program," said Jay Angoff, Director of the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. "By subjecting rates to new public scrutiny, the oversight of premium increases will ultimately help ensure that consumers receive substantial value for their insurance dollars."
In early May, Secretary Sebelius sent a letter to Governors and State Insurance Commissioners urging them to review the authority they have under their state laws to determine whether they have all of the regulatory tools needed to approve health insurance rates before they take effect.
Several provisions in the Affordable Care Act strengthen HHS' and states' oversight of insurance premiums and rate hikes. These include the Medical Loss Ratio, requiring insurers in the individual and small group markets to spend at least 80 percent of the premium dollar on health care, and insurers in the large group market to spend at least 85 percent of the premium dollar on health care; rate review, requiring insurers to justify unreasonable premium increases to state regulators and the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and grant funds for states to help create or strengthen reporting and review processes.
The Health Insurance Premium Review Grants that will be available during FY 2010 are only the first in a five-year grant program. HHS will take applications for a second round of state grants beginning in Fiscal Year 2011, after new regulations regarding rate review take effect. Second-round grants will allow states to further strengthen their rate review, and begin to provide the Secretary of HHS with the rate data required under the law.
This grant solicitation can be found at grants.gov.
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HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today (June 7) announced the availability of $51 million in Health Insurance Premium Review Grants through the Affordable Care Act. These funds are the first round of grants available to states through a new $250 million grant program to create and strengthen insurance rate review processes.
"This is an important step in putting consumers back in control of their health care," said Secretary Sebelius. "These new grants will help states protect consumers and small employers by holding insurers accountable for unreasonable insurance rate increases that have made coverage unaffordable for many American families. By strengthening oversight of insurance premiums, these grants will help put affordable coverage back within the reach for Americans who have been hit hard by skyrocketing costs."
All states and the District of Columbia are eligible for this first round of rate review grants. To receive a grant, a state must submit a plan for how it will use grant funds to develop or enhance its process of reviewing and approving, disapproving, or modifying health insurance premium requests. States with successful applications will receive a $1 million grant during the first round.
"These funds will help states strengthen their oversight capabilities and will allow states that do not currently review rates to establish a program," said Jay Angoff, Director of the Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. "By subjecting rates to new public scrutiny, the oversight of premium increases will ultimately help ensure that consumers receive substantial value for their insurance dollars."
In early May, Secretary Sebelius sent a letter to Governors and State Insurance Commissioners urging them to review the authority they have under their state laws to determine whether they have all of the regulatory tools needed to approve health insurance rates before they take effect.
Several provisions in the Affordable Care Act strengthen HHS' and states' oversight of insurance premiums and rate hikes. These include the Medical Loss Ratio, requiring insurers in the individual and small group markets to spend at least 80 percent of the premium dollar on health care, and insurers in the large group market to spend at least 85 percent of the premium dollar on health care; rate review, requiring insurers to justify unreasonable premium increases to state regulators and the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and grant funds for states to help create or strengthen reporting and review processes.
The Health Insurance Premium Review Grants that will be available during FY 2010 are only the first in a five-year grant program. HHS will take applications for a second round of state grants beginning in Fiscal Year 2011, after new regulations regarding rate review take effect. Second-round grants will allow states to further strengthen their rate review, and begin to provide the Secretary of HHS with the rate data required under the law.
This grant solicitation can be found at grants.gov.
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Thursday, June 03, 2010
HHS Announces Availability of $60 Million in Affordable Care Act Grants to Help People Navigate their Health and Long-term Care Options
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of $60 million in Affordable Care Act grants to states and communities to help individuals and their caregivers better understand and navigate their health and long-term care options.
Through this opportunity made possible by the Affordable Care Act HHS' Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will work collaboratively to award funds for an integrated approach that focuses on the unique needs of seniors, disabled Americans and their caregivers as they seek health care and long-term care.
"The Affordable Care Act seeks to lower health care costs, improve the quality of health care and perhaps most importantly give people more control over their own care. These new grants, authorized under the new law, will help seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families get better quality care and more control. We've also streamlined the process for states and people who rely on these funds," said Secretary Sebelius.
"We know how difficult it can be for caregivers and patients to try and deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex health care system to figure out where you can get help. These new funds that we have bundled together will help promote better opportunities for coordination of health and long-term supports," said Sebelius.
The purpose of this new grant program authorized by the Affordable Care Act is to create streamlined, coordinated statewide systems of information, counseling, and access that will help people find consumer-friendly answers they seek to meet their health and long-term care needs. AoA and CMS will administer the funding through separate announcements, but will coordinate implementation and monitoring through a single process.
Some specific areas of focus will include assisting individuals who are under-served and hard to reach with information about their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, helping older adults and individuals with disabilities live at home or in settings of their choosing with the right supports, assisting people transition from hospital or nursing home stays back into the community, and strengthening linkages between the medical and social service systems.
"When it comes to long-term health care, each patient has a unique mix of complex medical and social needs that must be considered when seeking care," said Marilyn Tavenner, acting CMS administrator. "Our health care system can offer many options to meeting those needs from traditional nursing home care to home and community-based services. Making patients and their families aware of these options will help them make inherently difficult decisions about long-term care. This integrated program will help families make informed choices and make sure patients have more control over their own care."
AoA and CMS have provided grants to states for several years to develop person-centered systems of information, counseling and access to make it easier for individuals to learn about and access their health and long-term services and support options. This grant program through the Affordable Care Act strengthens and enhances the ability of states to truly integrate the medical and social services care models.
"AoA's national network of community-based organizations has long served as the central place for individuals and families seeking information and help to address health and long term care challenges. This collaborative opportunity between AoA and CMS will further strengthen the network's capacity to help people in a more coordinated and comprehensive way in the communities where they live," said Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging.
Funds will be available to states, area agencies on aging (aaa's), State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). Through the grant program, states and local aging and disability programs will receive funds to:
* provide outreach and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on their Medicare benefits including prevention;
* use additional funds through a competitive process to provide Options Counseling on health and long-term care through ADRCs;
* use additional funds through a competitive process to strengthen the ADRCs role in Money follows the Person program and support state Medicaid agencies as they transition individuals from nursing homes to community-based care; and
* coordinate and continue to embed tested Care Transition models that integrate the medical and social service systems to help older individuals and those with disabilities remain in their own homes and communities after a hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility visit.
"CMS and AoA share a long-standing goal of expanding access to community-based care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act provides significant resources for state Medicaid agencies and providers to balance the nation's long-term care systems and assure that individuals have a choice of where and how they receive their services," said Cindy Mann, director of CMS's Center for Medicaid, CHIP, and Survey and Certification.
The announcement combines funding opportunities from several provisions in the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, including the Role of Public Programs (Title II, Sections 2403 - Money Follows the Person and 2405 - Funding for Aging and Disability Resource Centers) and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care (Title III. Section 3306 - Funding for Outreach and Assistance for Low-Income Programs).
These grants also complement President Obama's "Year of Community Living Initiative," which focuses on better serving those individuals with disabilities who need ongoing services and support programs in the community such as those provided by AoA, CMS and other HHS agencies.
The deadline for applications is: Monday, July 30, 2010. Grants will be awarded in September 2010. For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx or www.grants.gov.
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Through this opportunity made possible by the Affordable Care Act HHS' Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will work collaboratively to award funds for an integrated approach that focuses on the unique needs of seniors, disabled Americans and their caregivers as they seek health care and long-term care.
"The Affordable Care Act seeks to lower health care costs, improve the quality of health care and perhaps most importantly give people more control over their own care. These new grants, authorized under the new law, will help seniors, individuals with disabilities and their families get better quality care and more control. We've also streamlined the process for states and people who rely on these funds," said Secretary Sebelius.
"We know how difficult it can be for caregivers and patients to try and deal with a sudden illness or chronic disease while at the same time trying to navigate through a complex health care system to figure out where you can get help. These new funds that we have bundled together will help promote better opportunities for coordination of health and long-term supports," said Sebelius.
The purpose of this new grant program authorized by the Affordable Care Act is to create streamlined, coordinated statewide systems of information, counseling, and access that will help people find consumer-friendly answers they seek to meet their health and long-term care needs. AoA and CMS will administer the funding through separate announcements, but will coordinate implementation and monitoring through a single process.
Some specific areas of focus will include assisting individuals who are under-served and hard to reach with information about their Medicare and Medicaid benefits, helping older adults and individuals with disabilities live at home or in settings of their choosing with the right supports, assisting people transition from hospital or nursing home stays back into the community, and strengthening linkages between the medical and social service systems.
"When it comes to long-term health care, each patient has a unique mix of complex medical and social needs that must be considered when seeking care," said Marilyn Tavenner, acting CMS administrator. "Our health care system can offer many options to meeting those needs from traditional nursing home care to home and community-based services. Making patients and their families aware of these options will help them make inherently difficult decisions about long-term care. This integrated program will help families make informed choices and make sure patients have more control over their own care."
AoA and CMS have provided grants to states for several years to develop person-centered systems of information, counseling and access to make it easier for individuals to learn about and access their health and long-term services and support options. This grant program through the Affordable Care Act strengthens and enhances the ability of states to truly integrate the medical and social services care models.
"AoA's national network of community-based organizations has long served as the central place for individuals and families seeking information and help to address health and long term care challenges. This collaborative opportunity between AoA and CMS will further strengthen the network's capacity to help people in a more coordinated and comprehensive way in the communities where they live," said Kathy Greenlee, assistant secretary for aging.
Funds will be available to states, area agencies on aging (aaa's), State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs). Through the grant program, states and local aging and disability programs will receive funds to:
* provide outreach and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries on their Medicare benefits including prevention;
* use additional funds through a competitive process to provide Options Counseling on health and long-term care through ADRCs;
* use additional funds through a competitive process to strengthen the ADRCs role in Money follows the Person program and support state Medicaid agencies as they transition individuals from nursing homes to community-based care; and
* coordinate and continue to embed tested Care Transition models that integrate the medical and social service systems to help older individuals and those with disabilities remain in their own homes and communities after a hospital, rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility visit.
"CMS and AoA share a long-standing goal of expanding access to community-based care for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The Affordable Care Act provides significant resources for state Medicaid agencies and providers to balance the nation's long-term care systems and assure that individuals have a choice of where and how they receive their services," said Cindy Mann, director of CMS's Center for Medicaid, CHIP, and Survey and Certification.
The announcement combines funding opportunities from several provisions in the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, including the Role of Public Programs (Title II, Sections 2403 - Money Follows the Person and 2405 - Funding for Aging and Disability Resource Centers) and Improving the Quality and Efficiency of Health Care (Title III. Section 3306 - Funding for Outreach and Assistance for Low-Income Programs).
These grants also complement President Obama's "Year of Community Living Initiative," which focuses on better serving those individuals with disabilities who need ongoing services and support programs in the community such as those provided by AoA, CMS and other HHS agencies.
The deadline for applications is: Monday, July 30, 2010. Grants will be awarded in September 2010. For more information about this grant opportunity, please visit http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Grants/Funding/index.aspx or www.grants.gov.
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
PIA Opposes Kennedy Proposal to Create Health Insurance "Navigators"
/PRNewswire/ -- A proposal to award grants to public and private entities to conduct public education, distribute information and assist with health insurance enrollment is ill-advised, according to the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA).
The proposal is part of the Affordable Health Choices Act introduced by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions.
Section 3105 of the Kennedy bill says American Health Benefit Gateways would be created in every state, serving as a health insurance exchange. A "Navigators" program would award grants to public and private entities to "conduct public education; distribute fair and impartial information regarding health plans; [and] assist with enrollment and provide information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the population." The bill stipulates that both health insurance issuers and current independent insurance agents would be prohibited from participating in the Navigators program.
"This proposal would give federal grants to groups with no background or expertise in health insurance the responsibility to advise businesses and individuals regarding their health insurance decisions," said PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. "In addition, it would specifically exclude licensed health insurance agents or brokers from participating, which makes no sense at all."
"Consumers already turn to their local professional insurance agents to help them navigate the current maze of health insurance choices," Auerbach said. "There's no need to recreate that system. The Kennedy proposal would use taxpayers' dollars to set up what are, in essence, federal insurance agencies for health insurance in every state, with the proviso that those with health insurance experience would be barred from being involved."
Auerbach expressed concern that entities receiving grants to act as health insurance "Navigators" could be community groups, labor unions, or other organizations with no experience in health insurance and that might be biased in favor of a government-option in health insurance, with the potential to inappropriately steer people away from opting for private health insurance plans.
PIA believes that Congress should build on the private health care delivery system, not seek to dismantle it. PIA vehemently opposes the creation of government-funded insurance agencies or brokerages for health care insurance that would displace professional insurance agents.
"It is our hope that this flawed section of Sen. Kennedy's bill that creates federally-backed insurance brokerages with no expertise in health insurance will be removed as the legislative process continues," said PIA Director of Federal Affairs Mike Becker.
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The proposal is part of the Affordable Health Choices Act introduced by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions.
Section 3105 of the Kennedy bill says American Health Benefit Gateways would be created in every state, serving as a health insurance exchange. A "Navigators" program would award grants to public and private entities to "conduct public education; distribute fair and impartial information regarding health plans; [and] assist with enrollment and provide information that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the population." The bill stipulates that both health insurance issuers and current independent insurance agents would be prohibited from participating in the Navigators program.
"This proposal would give federal grants to groups with no background or expertise in health insurance the responsibility to advise businesses and individuals regarding their health insurance decisions," said PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. "In addition, it would specifically exclude licensed health insurance agents or brokers from participating, which makes no sense at all."
"Consumers already turn to their local professional insurance agents to help them navigate the current maze of health insurance choices," Auerbach said. "There's no need to recreate that system. The Kennedy proposal would use taxpayers' dollars to set up what are, in essence, federal insurance agencies for health insurance in every state, with the proviso that those with health insurance experience would be barred from being involved."
Auerbach expressed concern that entities receiving grants to act as health insurance "Navigators" could be community groups, labor unions, or other organizations with no experience in health insurance and that might be biased in favor of a government-option in health insurance, with the potential to inappropriately steer people away from opting for private health insurance plans.
PIA believes that Congress should build on the private health care delivery system, not seek to dismantle it. PIA vehemently opposes the creation of government-funded insurance agencies or brokerages for health care insurance that would displace professional insurance agents.
"It is our hope that this flawed section of Sen. Kennedy's bill that creates federally-backed insurance brokerages with no expertise in health insurance will be removed as the legislative process continues," said PIA Director of Federal Affairs Mike Becker.
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Monday, June 01, 2009
HHS Releases $30 Million to Help Medicare Beneficiaries Access Their Benefits
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released $25 million in grants to
help older people, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers
apply for special assistance through Medicare, and an additional $5
million for a national resource center to support these important
efforts.
These grants, made possible by the Medicare Improvements for Patients
and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), will provide valuable support at the
state and community levels for organizations involved in reaching and
providing assistance to people likely to be eligible for the Low-Income
Subsidy program (LIS), Medicare Savings Program (MSP), the Medicare Part
D Prescription Drug Program and in helping beneficiaries to apply for
benefits. This initiative also includes special targeting efforts to
rural areas of the country and to Native American elders.
"Medicare is essential to our effort to provide high-quality health care
to all Americans," said Secretary Sebelius. "Many people could be
eligible for extra help through Medicare and not even know it. We know
that beneficiaries with the greatest needs are often the most difficult
to reach," said Secretary Sebelius. "Through these new collaborations at
the federal, state and local levels, we will better be able to target
and provide one-on-one assistance to our most vulnerable citizens."
This MIPPA funding, which is jointly administered by HHS' Administration
on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),
is being awarded to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs),
State Agencies on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Aging and
Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), Native Americans Tribal
Organizations and local communities to help seniors, caregivers and
those with disabilities on Medicare. These organizations are important
members of HHS' national network of state, tribal and community-based
organizations that assist seniors, caregivers and those with
disabilities with health benefits information and information on other
services, and enable them to remain independent and living in their
communities as long as possible.
"HHS is working hard to reach people who are unaware, unsure or unable
to apply for assistance for the benefits they deserve," said Charlene
Frizzera, acting administrator for CMS. "Through this collaboration
between AoA and CMS, state and community-based organizations will be
able to work in partnership and make maximum use of these federal funds
to help seniors and those with disabilities on Medicare." CMS and AoA
have worked closely together on this and other outreach efforts to
assist older Americans, those with disabilities and their families to
access important benefits and services.
"MIPPA presents a new opportunity to build on the successful partnership
between AoA and CMS through the Medicare Part D outreach efforts, our
Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs, ADRCs, and the National
Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information," said Edwin L. Walker,
acting Assistant Secretary for Aging. "This new effort allows us to
team up again so that we can leverage federal, state and local resources
to deliver health and long-term care services and information to those
who need it most."
The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, administered
by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), will help inform beneficiaries
about benefits available under federal and state programs, utilize
cost-effective strategies to find older individuals with the greatest
economic need, coordinate state and local efforts by providing a best
practice clearinghouse, data collection, training and technical
assistance.
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help older people, individuals with disabilities and their caregivers
apply for special assistance through Medicare, and an additional $5
million for a national resource center to support these important
efforts.
These grants, made possible by the Medicare Improvements for Patients
and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA), will provide valuable support at the
state and community levels for organizations involved in reaching and
providing assistance to people likely to be eligible for the Low-Income
Subsidy program (LIS), Medicare Savings Program (MSP), the Medicare Part
D Prescription Drug Program and in helping beneficiaries to apply for
benefits. This initiative also includes special targeting efforts to
rural areas of the country and to Native American elders.
"Medicare is essential to our effort to provide high-quality health care
to all Americans," said Secretary Sebelius. "Many people could be
eligible for extra help through Medicare and not even know it. We know
that beneficiaries with the greatest needs are often the most difficult
to reach," said Secretary Sebelius. "Through these new collaborations at
the federal, state and local levels, we will better be able to target
and provide one-on-one assistance to our most vulnerable citizens."
This MIPPA funding, which is jointly administered by HHS' Administration
on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS),
is being awarded to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs),
State Agencies on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Aging and
Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), Native Americans Tribal
Organizations and local communities to help seniors, caregivers and
those with disabilities on Medicare. These organizations are important
members of HHS' national network of state, tribal and community-based
organizations that assist seniors, caregivers and those with
disabilities with health benefits information and information on other
services, and enable them to remain independent and living in their
communities as long as possible.
"HHS is working hard to reach people who are unaware, unsure or unable
to apply for assistance for the benefits they deserve," said Charlene
Frizzera, acting administrator for CMS. "Through this collaboration
between AoA and CMS, state and community-based organizations will be
able to work in partnership and make maximum use of these federal funds
to help seniors and those with disabilities on Medicare." CMS and AoA
have worked closely together on this and other outreach efforts to
assist older Americans, those with disabilities and their families to
access important benefits and services.
"MIPPA presents a new opportunity to build on the successful partnership
between AoA and CMS through the Medicare Part D outreach efforts, our
Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs, ADRCs, and the National
Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information," said Edwin L. Walker,
acting Assistant Secretary for Aging. "This new effort allows us to
team up again so that we can leverage federal, state and local resources
to deliver health and long-term care services and information to those
who need it most."
The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, administered
by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), will help inform beneficiaries
about benefits available under federal and state programs, utilize
cost-effective strategies to find older individuals with the greatest
economic need, coordinate state and local efforts by providing a best
practice clearinghouse, data collection, training and technical
assistance.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
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