What is MIPPA?
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 is a multi-faceted piece of legislation related to Medicare. One important provision of MIPPA was the allocation of federal funding (through Section 119) for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries apply for programs that make Medicare affordable. In addition to SHIPs, AAAs, and ADRCs, Tribes can also receive small grants to do MIPPA outreach in their communities.
MIPPA grants are administered by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL).
Medicare benefits & MIPPA
MIPPA grantees specifically help low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to apply for two programs that help pay for their Medicare costs:
- The Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help), which helps pay for the Part D premium and reduces the cost of prescriptions at the pharmacy, and
- The Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which help pay for Medicare Part B.
MIPPA grantees also provide Part D counseling to Medicare beneficiaries who live in rural areas, and are tasked to promote Medicare’s prevention and wellness benefits.
Call the KEDDO office at 1-800-211-2116 to speak with a counselor and see if you qualify for help.