Heeding a call to action from more than 40 leading consumer advocates and health insurers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced an initiative to help people with Marketplace plans transition to Medicare.
The health insurance Marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provide coverage options to people who would otherwise be uninsured.
Many people currently in the Marketplace who will soon qualify for Medicare are unfamiliar with Medicare enrollment rules and timelines. A mismanaged transition to Medicare can result in higher health care costs, gaps in coverage, and even tax penalties—making adequate notice and supports critical to promoting the health and financial security of people new to Medicare.
Medicare Rights applauds CMS for announcing an initiative to provide enhanced notice and education to people with Marketplace plans who are approaching Medicare as well as those who are already eligible for Medicare. Advance notice and adequate education is fundamental to ensuring that people with Marketplace plans are prepared to enroll in Medicare.
We look forward to working with CMS to shape this initiative, and we strongly encourage the agency to work closely with consumer advocates and health insurers to develop effective notice and messaging for this population.
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