Journal Article Spurring Enrollment In Medicare Savings Programs Through A Substitute For The Asset Test Focused On Investment Income
Stan Dorn, Baoping Shang
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Fewer than one-third of eligible Medicare beneficiaries enroll in Medicare savings programs, which pay premiums and, in some cases, eliminate out-of-pocket cost sharing for poor and near-poor enrollees. Many beneficiaries don't participate in savings programs because they must complete a cumbersome application process, including a burdensome asset test. We demonstrate that a streamlined alternative to the asset testletting seniors avoid the asset test by showing a lack of investment income-would let 78 percent of currently eligible seniors bypass the asset test. Eligibility would increase by 30 percent, compared to 104 percent if the asset test were eliminated.
Research Areas Health and health care Social safety net
Tags Health care laws and regulations
Policy Centers Health Policy Center