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The National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment is compiling a database of promising practices related to benefits outreach and enrollment. We invite you to review these promising practices and cost-effective strategies that can strengthen your local or state efforts to increase access to benefits for seniors and younger adults with disabilities.
AREA OF FOCUS: OUTREACH AND CONNECTION
2-for-1: Using Medicare Savings Programs as the Message
The Latino Education Project, based in Corpus Christi, Texas was working on increasing enrollment in the Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy (LIS) in a 12-county rural area. What they found was that they were able to secure more LIS enrollments by using simple messaging that advertised the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), which helps people with Medicare who have limited incomes and resources to pay for their Medicare Part B premiums and other cost-sharing. By focusing on advertising and enrolling people in the MSP, Latino Education Project was able to get clients a "2 for 1" because once a beneficiary became eligible for the MSP they were automatically enrolled in LIS as well.
Who was the target audience?
Medicare beneficiaries potentially eligible for one of the MSPs.
What did they do?
The Latino Education Project used a simple, easy to understand message that Medicare beneficiaries could relate to: "Is $96.40 being deducted from your Social Security or disability check? If so, we may be able to help you get that money back into your check." If approved for the MSP, beneficiaries would no longer have their monthly Part B premium deducted from their Social Security or disability check. This message promoted what was perceived as a valuable, immediate benefit that encouraged many beneficiaries to apply for MSP.
A simple call to action was also incorporated into the messaging: "call us for a screening." Logos of trusted community-based partner organizations were utilized as well. This conveyed credibility and assured beneficiaries that they could trust the message as well as the messenger! Latino Education Project successfully used this message on flyers and in advertisements.
What was the result?
LEP discovered that when they incorporated the MSP savings message into their advertising, they were able to increase their overall monthly enrollments by an average of 40%. This messaging encouraged many beneficiaries to take notice and take action.
According to the Latino Education Project, promoting the MSP benefit as a way to get beneficiaries into the LIS was a very successful strategy as it was “a much easier sell.” The simple message that focused on the Medicare Part B monthly deduction resonated with the local population. And an easy call-to-action with support from trusted community partners further prompted people to apply.
From the end of January through June 2000, enrollment in
the pharmacy assistance program increased from 2,111 to
4,838.
For more information:
Frances Pawlik
Latino Education Project
1045 Airline Rd
Corpus Christi, TX 78412
FPawSch@aol.com
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