May is Older Americans Month, an observance led by the Administration for Community Living to recognize the contributions of older Americans and bring awareness to the needs of older adults.
A Key, Growing Population
The older adult population in the United States is steadily increasing and becoming more diverse. In 2024, adults aged 65+ accounted for 18.1% of the U.S. population, and the percentage is projected to rise to 23% in the next quarter century. These numbers indicate that health and social programs serving older Americans need to be stronger, more widespread, and more accessible than ever.
Health and social programs serving older Americans need to be stronger, more widespread, and more accessible than ever.
Programs that help older adults age with dignity, regardless of income or background, are particularly important because many of them live on a fixed income. Approximately 40% of older Americans rely solely on monthly Social Security income to cover all their necessities. This means medical debt and other emergency expenses are ever-present worries, and any loss of coverage or benefits—even temporarily—could cause significant harm to their finances and independence.
Wilhelmina’s MSP Recertification
Recently, we spoke with a member of our community, 91-year-old Wilhelmina, who has relied on the Medicare Rights Center’s counselors to assist her with Medicare Savings Program (MSP) recertification for the last four years. Available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and savings, the MSP eliminates Part B premiums and includes prescription drug cost assistance through Extra Help.
“It has never, never been an easy process.”
Wilhelmina is retired and living on Social Security. Her MSP saves her hundreds of dollars a month, but for years when it came time to renew her coverage, she found herself at the mercy of a local agency that lost her paperwork and sent her in circles. “It has never, never been an easy process,” she told us, “but you need it to supplement your income and make sure you can sustain your health insurance.”
In 2023, Wilhelmina reached out to the Medicare Rights Center for the first time, where one of our counselors answered her call and saw her MSP recertification through to the end. She has returned to us every year for help, and she spoke to us about the importance of organizations like ours that work to ensure no one is left behind in the process. “You don’t like to talk about your limited income. So people don’t expose themselves and say, I need help with this,” she said. “I can only imagine that applying and making sure you get the benefits you’re eligible for is going to become more difficult.”
Lowering Barriers to Programs and Services
This Older Americans Month, we’re telling Wilhelmina’s story to highlight the reality for so many older adults with Medicare. MSPs and other programs that increase access to health care are indispensable, and yet they remain underenrolled and susceptible to beneficiary churn and policy choices that create barriers to getting and keeping coverage.
MSPs and other programs that increase access to health care are indispensable.
At Medicare Rights, we support policies that make MSPs more accessible, including expanded eligibility, streamlined enrollment and renewal processes, and increased beneficiary outreach and education. Together, these policies would help millions of people access the care and coverage they need to protect their health, financial stability, and well-being.
Help Is Available
If you are an older adult, caregiver, or advocate looking for help with Medicare, call the Medicare Rights Center’s national helpline at 800-333-4114. To learn more about Medicare, visit Medicare Interactive.
If you would like to be screened for other cost-assistance and benefits programs, visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp.
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