Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program Facing Elimination in 2017
For more than 24 years, The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) has advised, educated, and empowered individuals to navigate their state-specific Medicare choices. In addition, SHIP helps beneficiaries resolve fraud and abuse issues, billing problems, appeals, and enrollment in low-income health assistance programs. In 2015, SHIP provided assistance to more than seven million individuals with Medicare.
The Medicare State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) network is a critical resource for the elderly, disabled and families needing help to make informed decisions about their Medicare coverage options and enrollment decisions. Today’s Medicare beneficiary must choose among more than 20 prescription drug plans, 19 Medicare Advantage plans, and various supplemental insurance policies, all with different premiums, cost sharing, provider networks, and coverage rules.
Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee targeted two critical programs for significant cuts, and/or elimination for Fiscal Year 2017. The two programs targeted are The Medicare State Health Insurance Programs,(SHIP) which is slated to lose all of its $ 52.1 million in funding. The second critical program is The Senior Community Service Employment Program. (SCSEP)
Eliminating SHIPs would leave millions of older Americans, people with disabilities, and families who need help applying for benefits, comparing coverage options, filing appeals, and navigating a complex program stranded without assistance. Max Richtman, President and CEO of The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare stated “Senate appropriators have turned their backs on a growing number of people who will need SHIP services to navigate the complexities of Medicare coverage by proposing to eliminate program funding.”
The Senior Community Service Employment Program, (SCSEP) which is funded by the Older Americans Act provides subsidized, service based training for low income persons aged 55 and older who are unemployed, and have poor employment prospects. Cutting this program could result in fewer seniors receiving services, and less income due to deceased working hours. It would be devastating to the seniors who work and depend on this program.
Final decisions to cut the programs have not been made. The full Senate is expected to vote on the budget bill in the fall. If this is important to you, please take action by contacting your congressman to reject the imposed cuts, and to take steps to secure The State Health insurance Assistance Programs and The Senior Community Service Employment Programs are funded.
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