Rather than cut funding for the SHIP network, we urge greater investment in this vital, cost-effective program. Accordingly, we strongly encourage CMS to actively support the SHIPs, and we urge this Administration to revisit a FY2017 funding proposal to eliminate SHIP funding. SHIP counselors are essential to helping people with Medicare make informed, individualized choices about how to receive coverage and care. In addition, these partners include SHIP contact information in their websites, publications, and correspondence as a leading source of assistance when people need help with Medicare. A high volume of partner referrals to SHIPs – approximately one-third – originate from MA and Part D plans, local and state agencies, CMS, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and members of Congress and their staff. As such, SHIPs offer increasingly critical services that cannot be supplied by 1-800 MEDICARE or through web-based and written materials. The scope of SHIP counseling encompasses a broad range of areas, including coverage options, fraud and abuse issues, billing problems, appeal rights, and enrollment in low-income assistance programs. State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs (SHIPs) are at the forefront of providing accurate, timely and unbiased information to people with Medicare. Support State Health Insurance and Assistance Programs (SHIPs) We join other consumer advocacy organizations in strongly urging CMS to strengthen educational tools and beneficiary supports, including the following: A combination of written (print, online), telephonic, and individualized, in-person assistance is required to achieve this end. People with Medicare, their families and caregivers require adequate, actionable information about each decision point they face. Medicare is a complex program, often requiring assistance in navigating the myriad choices regarding coverage options, rules regarding coverage, and resolving problems, including informally and through the administrative appeals process. We divide our comments into the following broad sections: CMS needs to ensure that MA and Part D plans provide what taxpayers are paying for ultimately, both beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars must be safeguarded. Rather, we urge CMS to focus squarely on ensuring Part C and D enrollees (and the broader Medicare population) have access to and receive timely, quality health care. We anticipate that many plan sponsors will vigorously push for reduction in regulations and oversight – we think granting such requests would be a dangerous path to tread. Overarching comment: while we recognize CMS’ stated intention to maintain benefit flexibility and efficiency throughout the MA and Part D programs, we stress that CMS’ focus should not be on rolling back regulations, reducing oversight or minimizing plan sponsor burdens. Additionally, we provide legal representation to ensure that people receive the health care benefits to which they are legally entitled, and to the quality health care they need. We draw upon our direct experience with thousands of individuals to educate policy makers about how their decisions affect the lives of real people. At the Center, we educate older people and people with disabilities to help secure fair access to necessary health care services. The Center, founded in 1986, is a national, non-partisan education and advocacy organization that works to ensure fair access to Medicare and to quality healthcare. The Center for Medicare Advocacy (Center) is pleased to provide the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) comments on its Request for Information concerning Medicare Advantage and Part D. Re: 2017 Transformation Ideas – Response to Request for Information re: Medicare Advantage and Part D Listen to Medicare & Health Care Stories.Join the Center for Medicare Advocacy Founder’s Circle.Career, Fellowship & Internship Opportunities. Ossen Medicare Outreach, Education and Advocacy Project.Connecticut Dually Eligible Appeals Project.The Center for Medicare Advocacy Founder’s Circle.CMA Annual Report | Fiscal Year July 2021 – June 2022.Nursing Home / Skilled Nursing Facility Care.
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