Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Older Adult Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs 'Medi-Medi' enrollment assistance project for older adults and people with disabilities
Summary
The panel voted to advance HB705 to create a temporary Medi–Medi enrollment-assistance project within the State Health Insurance Assistance Program at the Executive Office on Aging; the office estimated $100,000 in start-up operating costs.
HB705 would establish a temporary Medi–Medi project within the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at the Executive Office on Aging to assist dual-eligible older adults and people with disabilities to enroll in Medicare and Medicaid savings and subsidy programs. The committee advanced the bill on Feb. 6 with technical amendments and a direction to defect the date.
Carolyn Catterau, director of the Executive Office on Aging, said SHIP has 33 years of experience providing Medicare counseling and has seen an uptake in callers seeking help with Medicaid (Med-QUEST) eligibility. The office told the committee the Medi–Medi project would provide enrollment counseling, assist with subsidy and Part D applications, and coordinate referrals; the office estimated operating costs of about $100,000 for the first year to develop outreach materials and provide initial services.
AARP Hawaii testified in support, as did disability advocates who said people with disabilities commonly transition to dual coverage and need assistance. The executive office noted that initial operating costs could later be offset through Medicaid administrative claiming once the project is operating and billing for eligible activities.
Ending: HB705 was advanced with amendments to defect the date. The Executive Office on Aging estimated $100,000 in initial operating costs for year one and asked to pursue Medicaid administrative claiming to sustain the project in subsequent years.
