the make medicare work coalition governors conference on aging december 2009

The Make Medicare Work Coalition

Governor’s Conference on Aging

December 2009

Make Medicare Work Coalition Created as a collaboration to address and

influence the impact of Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) on people in Illinois

Brings together aging and disability service providers

Marries education/outreach with policy advocacy

Targets underserved groups

MMW Funders

The Chicago Community Trust

Michael Reese Health Trust

The Retirement Research Foundation

With additional support from the National Council on Aging

Who We Are: Leadership AgeOptions Progress Center for Independent

Living

Health & Disability Advocates

Who We Are: Participants More than 260 organizations (600+ people)

Aging and disability service providers and advocates• Healthcare providers, social service agencies, disease-

specific groups, ethnically-based agencies, senior/community centers, housing, advocacy groups, local governments/ municipalities, pharmacy groups, elected officials, faith-based organizations, academic centers, schools of pharmacy and medicine, nutrition networks.

State and federal agencies

Policy and research groups

What We Do

Gather and create accurate, practical, unbiased, accessible information and materials

Educate Medicare consumers, service providers and policymakers

Provide training and technical support for professionals and volunteers

Bring “field experience” to policymakers Advocate for laws and policies that assure affordable access

to comprehensive drug coverage for all people with Medicare Target underserved groups

MMW Materials

Bulletins and Alerts Topical Briefs Q & A for coalition member newsletters E-News Fact sheets/ counseling tools for service

providers Educational pieces for people with Medicare

and flyers inviting them to get help

MMW Meetings and Trainings

Annual Summit

Quarterly In-Person Meetings

Phone Conferences

Policy Meetings, Work Group Meetings or Phone Calls

Trainings

Success Factors – Why the MMW Works

Everyone participates at their own level Strong shared mission – leave politics at the

door Support from state and federal agencies –

communication channel that reaches beyond traditional networks

Materials are practical and as simple as possible• Plain language

• Includes the “so what”

Some MMW Accomplishments: Education and Outreach

Directly reached over 350,000 and indirectly reached another 250,000 Medicare consumers

Presented at 3,000+ group education events attended by 150,000 Medicare consumers

Reached about 10,000 professionals and volunteers through training events

Directly assisted about 25,000 people to enroll in Part D and assisted with more than 80,000 applications for other benefits

Some MMW Accomplishments: Policy

Early in Part D rollout

• Development of Illinois Cares Rx

• Advocacy with Governor’s Office to provide emergency coverage during initial roll-out of Part D

First legislation in nation to convert persons on ADAP to a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.

Expansion of Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities

Invited to testify before U.S. Congress on Medicare Part D “extra help” – disability perspective

Advocated extensively for continued coverage of Medicare beneficiaries by drug manufacturer patient assistance programs through Town Hall Meetings and testimony

MMW Advocacy and Policy in 2009

HB 366 - Illinois Cares Rx (ICRx)

• one program for everyone with Medicare (seniors and disabled)

• Increased income eligibility limits for all

• Circuit Breaker and ICRx income limits the same

Allow Medicare beneficiaries who work and “medically improve” to maintain healthcare coverage.

MMW Education and Outreach in 2010

Maintain and grow the Coalition

Find and reach underserved populations (low income, safety net provider users, Deaf or hard-of-hearing, mental health/psychiatric service consumers, limited–English speakers)

Provide information and technical support through the Resource Center

2010 Advocacy Issues More efficient and effective enrollment and re-enrollment

procedures for Illinois Cares Rx

Coordinate with state on outreach strategies for Medicare Savings Programs and new ICRx benefits/income limits

Assure Illinois Medicare beneficiaries are represented in national discussions on healthcare reform

Medicare coverage for hearing aids

1-800-Medicare Advocacy

Better coordination between state and federal on communications to consumers.

Terri GendelDirector, Benefits & Advocacy

AgeOptions

Terri.gendel@ageoptions.org 708-383-0258

Thanks!!