:: Medicare Advocacy Initiatives

Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people living with HIV/AIDS who are disabled, have adequate work history and qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance. Medicare plays an important role in the lives of people with HIV/AIDS as it is the second largest budget item for the federal government, covering approximately 20% of those living with HIV/AIDS. In 2004 the federal government spent $11 billion on HIV/AIDS programs and services. Of that, $2.6 billion was spent on Medicare alone.

On January 1, 2006 the Medicare prescription drug benefit will replace the current Medicaid drug coverage, becoming the largest health care program turnover in history. The problem is federal Medicaid payments will terminate on that day as well. Dual eligibles, those entitled to both Medicaid and Medicare benefits, will have less time to enroll than Medicare only beneficiaries. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) plans to auto-enroll dual-eligibles, however, auto enrollment cannot guarantee the recipients will know they have been enrolled or know how to access their new drug plan.

The Medicare Dual Eligible Prescription Drug Coverage Act of 2005 (S. 566), lead by Senator Rockefeller (D-WV), focuses on dual-eligibles which will be among the most vulnerable during this transition. The act aims to allow dual-eligible beneficiaries to receive Medicaid prescription drug benefits for 6 months until Part D of the Medicare drug benefit program has been fully implemented. Beneficiaries will have more time to learn about their options and this will allow for a smoother transition from Medicaid to Medicare, preventing fewer recipients from having gaps in their prescription drug coverage.

TAEP along with other national organizations and state-based coalitions will work to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS will continue to have the ongoing health care coverage they need. These partnerships will work together to support the passage of acts that are essential to the well-being of those living with HIV/AIDS. Medicare will become even more important in years to come as people with HIV/AIDS are living longer. It is also likely that Medicare spending will increase in the next year with the implementation of the Medicare Part D drug benefit plan.