webinar for cdsmp grantees · a nonprofit service and advocacy organization © 2012 national...

1A nonprofit service and advocacy organization © 2012 National Council on Aging

WebinarJanuary 2012

The Other Side of the Story: It’s Not Just About Health!


Agenda

The relationship between health and economic securityBenefits and their importance to older adults on a fixed incomeKey economic security resourcesHow you can get involved


The Relationship Between Health and Economic Security

Among those aged 60+ (~56 million):21.8 million have incomes below 250% FPL18.8 have one or more chronic conditions14.5 million have 2+ chronic conditions


The Relationship Between Health and Economic Security (cont.)

**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.

27%5.9 M 20%

4.3 M3%700K

51%11.2 M 26%

5.8 M

10%2.2 M

63%13.8 M

20%4.5 M

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Diabetes Cancer Depression Arthritis Heart Diseases Stroke Hypertension Lung Diseases

Target Population 60+ and < 250% FPL (21.8 million)

Target Population 60+ and < 250% FPL (21.8 million)


The importance of benefits


What do low-income seniors need help paying for?What benefits can help?

Health care

Prescriptions

Food

Utilities

Basic necessities

Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs

Extra Help

SNAP

LIHEAP

SSI


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”)

Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)/Extra Help


Financed by MedicaidHelp pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for those with low income/resourcesIncludes 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.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)


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

Medicaid


Administered by the Food & Nutrition Service of the USDAFormerly called Food StampsProvides 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

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)


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

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)


Administered by Social Security AdministrationFor persons with no or very limited incomesAverage monthly payment (Nov. 2011)= $498

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)


State Prescription Assistance Programs (SPAPs)Drug manufacturer rebate programsSenior Farmers’ Market Nutrition ProgramEmergency food assistanceFree cell phone serviceTax rebates/relief

Other Noteworthy Benefits Programs


Why Benefits Are Important

Extra Help $4,000

Medicare Savings

Programs $1,157

SNAP/ Food Stamps $1,000

SSI $6,000

LIHEAP $319

Average Estimated Annual Value of Core Benefits

Total Estimated

AnnualValue:

$12,476


Key economic security resources


Supported by Administration on Aging and housed at NCOAProvides technical assistance to organizations & professionals who want to connect seniors to benefitswww.centerforbenefits.org

• Promising practices• Fact sheets on benefits• Resource library for

professionals

National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment


Web-based tool that screens for over 2,000 public and private benefitsIncludes over 50,000 local offices where people can applywww.benefitscheckup.org

BenefitsCheckUp®


Comprehensive vs. more specific screenings for food/medicine

BenefitsCheckUp® Screenings


BenefitsCheckUp® Screenings (cont.)

Apply online (when available)


BenefitsCheckUp® Screenings (cont.)

Links to:Local officesProgram pageDownloadable

application forms


One-stop shops for people with Medicare to access benefits20 BECs in 18 states

Benefits Enrollment Centers


Economic Service Centers: 20 community organizations providing holistic economic caseworkSenior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Suite of financial education tools: Savvy Saving Seniors

NCOA’s Economic Security Activities


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 www.medicare.gov/contacts

State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)


How you can get involved


How SHIPs are Collaborating with CDSMPs

Maine: SHIP counselors informally pre-screen potential CDSMP participantsMassachusetts & Nevada: Trained group of SHIP counselors/volunteers in CDSMP and testing referrals between programsRhode Island: Hosted “Academy” trainings for counselors to learn about CDSMP and other programsNew Jersey: Cross-promotion and referrals; significant collaboration & outreach using health professional community


Other Ways to Get Involved

Refer clients to these resources as appropriateForge partnerships with SHIPs, BECs, and othersBuild your own knowledge (e.g. via our Benefits 101 webinar series, available at: www.vimeo.com/channels/ncboeStay tuned for our upcoming campaign:


Contact Us

Brandy Bauer: [email protected]

www.ncoa.orgwww.centerforbenefits.orgwww.benefitscheckup.org

webinar for cdsmp grantees · a nonprofit service and advocacy organization © 2012 national...

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