Key Takeaways

  • The public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic led the government to issue new regulations related to Medicaid benefits.

  • Learn how some of these regulations may affect older adults who are transitioning from Medicaid into Medicare in this webinar for benefits counselors.

On November 6, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new regulation (an Interim Final Rule with Comment Period or IFR) which allows states to change which Medicaid program individuals are enrolled in, with some limitations. 

This change went into effect on November 2, 2020 and continues until the end of the Public Health Emergency. 

The new rule permits the state to move individuals currently enrolled in the state’s Medicaid expansion program and who screened eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (including QMB, SLMB, and QI) to the Medicare Savings Program even if the move results in a reduction of benefits. Importantly, the state is not permitted to disenroll individuals enrolled in a state’s Medicaid expansion program, upon turning 65, or becoming eligible for Medicare, if the individual does not screen eligible for the Medicare Savings Program.   

This webinar discusses the new rule, and the implications it may have for your clients who are transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare. Learn more in our fact sheet on the regulations.

Presenters:  

  • Leslie Fried, Senior Director, Center for Benefits Access 
  • Ann Kayrish, Senior Program Manager, Medicare 
  • Judith Bendersky, Field Supervisor, Washington SHIBA