Resources

 

What Works: Alabama 's Americorps Project

What Works: Massachusetts Senior Benefits Expos

The Aging Services Network and the Use of Online Screening and Application Technology (National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment)

NCOA-NASUA Survey of State Units on Aging on the Use of Online Screening and Application Technology

NCOA-n4a Survey of Area Agencies on Aging on the Use of Online Screening and Application Technology

Deputizing Community-Based Organizations (National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment)

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (Carol O'Shaughnessy, National Health Policy Forum)

Crossing New Fronteirs: Benefits Access among Isolated Seniors (National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment)

CMS Announces Fiscal Year 2011 Basic Grant Funding for SHIPs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the basic grant funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) will be distributed April 1, 2011.  Almost $46.5 million will be available to the 54 SHIPs in the United States and its territories for the funding year that runs from April 1, 2011, through March 31, 2012.  CMS is yet to release a state-by-state table of the basic grant funding distribution.  The grant application may be obtained here.

Proposed FY 2012 Budget
On February 14, 2011, President Obama submitted his $3.73 trillion fiscal 2012 proposed budget request to Congress, which outlines the Administration’s overall fiscal policy and federal program priorities for the fiscal year (FY) that will begin on October 1, 2011. This propose budget includes moving SHIPs from CMS to AoA and funding SHIPs with $47 million, a flat funding from 2010.

SHIP Basic Program Announcement and Grant Renewal Application
On December 16, 2010, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2011 State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) Basic Program Announcement and Grant Renewal Application -  CFDA # 93.779.  The Grant Application may be obtained by clicking here.

Medicare: If you need information about Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare prescription drug plans, how to enroll in a plan, or to request a hardcopy of the Medicare and You, 2011 handbook.  Also, check out a variety of Medicare publications at Medicare.gov. 

Social Security: for more information about getting Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug plan costs, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security representatives are available to help your complete your application.

National Center for Benefits Outreach contains tools and resources that help local, state and regional organizations to find, counsel and assist seniors and younger adults with disabilities to apply for and enroll in the benefits for which they may be eligible.  At the website you will also find new knowledge about best practices and cost effective strategies for benefits outreach and enrollment.

BenefitsCheckUp website helps younger people aged 55 and over and some people with younger people with Medicare find and get the benefits they are eligible for – the services is simple, fast, free, and most importantly private.  BenefitsCheckUp is a service of the National Council on Aging, a non-profit service and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. BenefitsCheckUp can find you programs that pay for:

• Prescription drugs
• Heating Bills
• Housing / Rent
• Employment
• Meal Programs
• Legal Services
• Medical Costs
• In-home services

To get the most help, click on “Find Benefits Programs” on the website and fill out the “Comprehensive” questionnaire. If you don’t have a computer at home, visit the local library or a senior center that has computers and do it yourself. Or, ask a trusted friend, relative, or family member to help. 

CMS’ limited income and resources web page provides information, notices, and mailings that CMS sends each year to Medicare beneficiaries receiving the low-income subsidy; this includes the redeeming notices, change of co-pay notice, reassignment notices, chooser notices, auto-enrollment notice, and facilitated enrollment notices.

SHIPTalk is the national SHIP resource center. It provides information for SHIP providers. It includes resources, state program profiles, training materials, news articles, and other useful materials.

CMS Guide to Consumer Mailings for 2011-2012 includes information about notices from CMS, Social Security, and Health Plans.