The Trump administration has begun closing or shrinking many important federal programs to help Medicare maintain health and independence. In particular, restructuring and threatening funds for a program may deprive important sources of information from current and future Medicare beneficiaries.
Vessels support beneficiary-centric decisions
The 54-state Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIPS) is located in various states in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, providing one-to-one, impartial consultations for people close to Medicare eligibility to help them make initial recruitment decisions. The vessel also provides trusted expert assistance to understand and browse Medicare coverage and registration rules and annual coverage assessments, such as determining a Part MA or D drug plan that meets beneficiary needs between the original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (MA).
Government actions threaten ships
In 2014, Congress moved vessels from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Government of Community Living (ACL), the only federal agency dedicated to helping seniors and disabled people live safely and fully participate in the community. Earlier this year, Elon Musk's Duger initiative decided to eliminate the ACL, claiming that the program could be redistributed among other agencies. However, leaked White House budget documents suggest that the administration is seeking to eliminate most ship funds that will effectively terminate the program.
Leaked White House budget documents show that the administration hopes to eliminate most ship funds, which will effectively end the program.
Vessels often have biased alternatives that inspire turn to customers
When consumers are unable to access or know about the vessel, they may turn to agents and brokers with financial incentives to push them to MA and specific programs, including programs that do not meet their needs. This has long been a problem, and law enforcement has shown that it is an ongoing approach. A new federal lawsuit says some MA organizations are directing agents and brokers to guide profitable consumers to develop MA plans and drive others to other organizations, especially those with disabilities.
A new federal lawsuit says some MA organizations are directing agents and brokers to guide profitable consumers to develop MA plans and drive others to other organizations, especially those with disabilities.
These incentives, increasingly complex health insurance admissions community and more beneficiaries make access to unbiased help more and more. The counselors on board, many of whom are well-trained volunteers, do not earn commissions and have no personal admission options.
The marine network should be supported, not ended
Medicare rights also provide one-to-one consultation, but we are unable to replicate the scope of the marine network. We will continue to urge the Trump administration and all policy makers to support and invest in other resources that can help Medicare and those close to Medicare eligibility find, acquire, and provide the best coverage for their situation.
Find your local boat.
Further reading
Read more about the ship.
Read more about ship threats.
Read more about the federal lawsuit alleging beneficiaries turn.
