The Other Side of the Story:

Transcription

1 Webinar January 2012 The Other Side of the Story: It s Not Just About Health! 1

2 Agenda The relationship between health and economic security Benefits and their importance to older adults on a fixed income Key economic security resources How you can get involved 2

3 The Relationship Between Health and Economic Security Among those aged 60+ (~56 million): 21.8 million have incomes below 250% FPL 18.8 have one or more chronic conditions 14.5 million have 2+ chronic conditions 3

4 The Relationship Between Health and Economic Security (cont.) 100% 90% Target Population 60+ and < 250% FPL (21.8 million) 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 27% 5.9 M 20% 4.3 M 3% 700K 51% 11.2 M 26% 5.8 M 10% 2.2 M 63% 13.8 M 20% 4.5 M Diabetes Cancer Depression Arthritis Heart Diseases Stroke Hypertension Lung Diseases Target Population 60+ and < 250% FPL (21.8 million) **Sources: NCOA analysis of the American Community Survey 2010, Public Use Microdata Files. NCOA analysis of the National Health Interview Survey 2010, Public Use Files. 4

5 The importance of benefits 5

6 What do low-income seniors need help paying for? What benefits can help? Health care Prescriptions Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs Extra Help Food SNAP Utilities LIHEAP Basic necessities SSI 6

7 Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)/Extra Help Administered by Social Security Administration and Medicare Helps pay Medicare Part D (drug plan) costs for people with limited income/resources Eliminates the coverage gap ( donut hole ) 7

8 Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) Financed by Medicaid Help pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for those with low income/resources Includes the following programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) covers Medicare premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) covers only Part B premium. Qualifying Individual (QI) covers only the Part B premium. 8

9 Medicaid State programs that pay for broad range of medical services for people with low incomes, e.g.: Visits to providers Inpatient & outpatient hospital Lab tests X-rays Medical transport Home health services 9

10 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Administered by the Food & Nutrition Service of the USDA Formerly called Food Stamps Provides monthly funds to eligible households on EBT card to spend on food In most states, benefits can accrue up to one year on card Non-food products excluded Benefits are based on household composition 10

11 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Block grant to states and territories from the U.S. Administration for Children and Families (HHS) Most funds expended in winter Community agencies administer grant locally Helps with home heating and cooling costs 11

12 Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Administered by Social Security Administration For persons with no or very limited incomes Average monthly payment (Nov. 2011)= $498 12

13 Other Noteworthy Benefits Programs State Prescription Assistance Programs (SPAPs) Drug manufacturer rebate programs Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program Emergency food assistance Free cell phone service Tax rebates/relief 13

14 Why Benefits Are Important Average Estimated Annual Value of Core Benefits Total Estimated Annual Value: $12,476 LIHEAP $319 SSI $6,000 Extra Help $4,000 SNAP/ Food Stamps $1,000 Medicare Savings Programs $1,157 14

15 Key economic security resources 15

16 National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment Supported by Administration on Aging and housed at NCOA Provides technical assistance to organizations & professionals who want to connect seniors to benefits Promising practices Fact sheets on benefits Resource library for professionals 16

17 BenefitsCheckUp Web-based tool that screens for over 2,000 public and private benefits Includes over 50,000 local offices where people can apply 17

18 BenefitsCheckUp Screenings Comprehensive vs. more specific screenings for food/medicine 18

19 BenefitsCheckUp Screenings (cont.) Apply online (when available) 19

20 BenefitsCheckUp Screenings (cont.) Links to: Local offices Program page Downloadable application forms 20

21 Benefits Enrollment Centers One-stop shops for people with Medicare to access benefits 20 BECs in 18 states 21

22 NCOA s Economic Security Activities Economic Service Centers: 20 community organizations providing holistic economic casework Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Suite of financial education tools: Savvy Saving Seniors 22

23 State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) Provide objective counseling on Medicare about health insurance and related benefits Help low-income seniors apply for certain benefits (Extra Help and MSPs) All states have toll-free number and local offices Get contact details at 23

24 How you can get involved 24

25 How SHIPs are Collaborating with CDSMPs Maine: SHIP counselors informally pre-screen potential CDSMP participants Massachusetts & Nevada: Trained group of SHIP counselors/volunteers in CDSMP and testing referrals between programs Rhode Island: Hosted Academy trainings for counselors to learn about CDSMP and other programs New Jersey: Cross-promotion and referrals; significant collaboration & outreach using health professional community 25

26 Other Ways to Get Involved Refer clients to these resources as appropriate Forge partnerships with SHIPs, BECs, and others Build your own knowledge (e.g. via our Benefits 101 webinar series, available at: Stay tuned for our upcoming campaign: 26

27 Contact Us Brandy Bauer: