The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that simplifies eligibility and enrollment processes for the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), a collection of programs that provide qualifying, low-income Medicare beneficiaries with state-based assistance paying for Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. For several years, estimates have shown low enrollment in these programs. In response, this rule requires States to simplify policies and procedures with the goal of enrolling more eligible Medicare beneficiaries. In 2020, over 1 million rural Medicare beneficiaries had limited Medicaid benefits through these programs.
