Finalized Medicaid Reg to Enhance Affordable Access to Primary Care for Seniors & People with Disabilities

On September 18th, CMS finalized a rule streamlining procedures and making it easier for recipients of Supplemental Security Income or Medicare Part D’s Low-Income Subsidy to access help with Medicare Part A and B premiums and cost-sharing. The new procedures broadly reflect PCC’s comments on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) original 2022 proposals for Streamlining the Medicaid, CHIP, and BHP Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes.

CMS’ latest process simplifies what can be a complicated, arduous and uncertain process for dually eligible individuals. PCC’s August webinar “Access & Equity in Medicaid: Robust Primary Care is a Must” debuted the release of our new Medicaid report of the same name, which features 8 strategies to strengthen primary care in Medicaid. Exploring strategies like reporting and increasing Medicaid spending on primary care, supporting behavioral health integration and pursuing population-based payment models, this report will inform our Better Health – NOW Campaign advocacy going forward. Yet the strategies identified in that report can only help beneficiaries achieve better health if those enrollees escape red-tape-laden eligibility procedures and affordability barriers to care.

PCC applauds CMS for taking these important steps to streamline the eligibility and renewal processes for dually eligible beneficiaries. We look forward to seeing the Administration’s next steps to simplify Medicaid and CHIP enrollment – now promised in 2024.