Virtual services are an option that is particularly useful in rural areas and for people with limited mobility or little access to transportation, but they require online access. Virtual and in-person services, where both the beneficiary and the counselor can look at the same computer screen, are especially useful for reviewing complex coverage options.

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We also spoke with SHIP consultants and coordinators across the United States. As one SHIP coordinator noted, many people are not aware of all their coverage options. For example, one beneficiary said to the coordinator, “I’m on Medicaid and I’m aging out of Medicaid. Plus I don’t have a lot of money. Now I have to pay for my insurance?” It turns out that the beneficiary qualified for both Medicaid and Medicare due to their income and therefore had to pay less than they thought.

The interviews made clear that many people are unaware that Medicare Advantage advertising and insurance brokers can be biased. One consultant said: “Thanks to these TV ads, there is a lot of support (beneficiaries), so to speak.”

Many SHIP staff counselors said they would benefit from additional training on coverage options, including for people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The SHIP program relies heavily on volunteers, and demand for services often exceeds what available volunteers can provide. Additional consultants will help meet the needs for complex coverage decisions.

The key to making a good Medicare coverage decision for yourself or a family member is taking advantage of available benefits and weighing costs, access to healthcare providers, and current health and medication needs. Also consider how your health and medication needs may change as time goes by.

Grace McCormack is a postdoctoral researcher in health policy and economics at the University of Southern California. McCormack receives funding from the Commonwealth Fund and Arnold Ventures.

Melissa Garrido is a research professor of health law, policy, and management at Boston University. Garrido receives funding from the Commonwealth Fund, the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health for Medicare-related research, including the research discussed in this article.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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-Grace McCormack -Melissa Garrido

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10-28-24 1101ET

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