Improving the lives of older Americans Using Technology to Screen and Enroll People in Benefits: An...

Improving the lives of older Americans

Using Technology to Screen and Enroll People in Benefits:

An Overview of BenefitsCheckUpMarlene Schneider

AIRS ConferenceMay 24, 2010

© 2010. National Council on AgingA non-profit service and advocacy organization 2

Agenda Introduction to the National Council on Aging

Overview of the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment

Key Features of BenefitsCheckUp

BenefitsCheckUp Enhancements

© 2010. National Council on AgingA non-profit service and advocacy organization

National Council on Aging

NCOA’s Mission

Who We Are NCOA is a non-profit service and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC.

NCOA Core Values

Social and Economic

Justice

Respect and Caring

Innovation

Integrity and Excellence


National Council on Aging

What We Do• NCOA is a national voice for older adults – especially

those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged -- and the community organizations that serve them.

• NCOA brings together non-profit organizations, businesses and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults.

• NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors live independently, find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently and remain active in their communities


National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment -- Mission

Increase access to benefits for seniors and younger adults with disabilities by:

• providing tools and resources• generating and disseminating knowledge about best practices and cost-

effective strategies for benefits outreach and enrollment

Focus is on several public benefits that are critical to Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes and resources

• Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) • Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) • Medicaid • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)/Food Stamps • Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) • State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAP)

Our emphasis is on person-centered strategies – once you’ve found someone, helping them to apply for ALL of the benefits for which they are eligible.


About the Center Training and technical assistance on effective outreach,

screening, enrollment, and follow-up strategies

Clearinghouse on best practices and cost-effective methods for finding and enrolling people in benefits outreach and enrollment

Web-based screening and enrollment tools (www.BenefitsCheckUp.org)

Data aggregation and analysis

Fund and support Benefits Enrollment Centers

Provide technical assistance and support to grantees that have received Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) grants


Technology is not Your Enemy!


BenefitsCheckUp is a web-based tool that screens seniors for over 2,000 Federal, State, City and private benefits

Includes over 50,000 offices nationwide where those eligible for benefits can apply

BenefitsCheckUp

www.BenefitsCheckUp.org


Benefits Screening Tools: Screening questionnaires to help people learn about which government or private programs they may be eligible for to help pay for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs, based on their individual situation

SNAP Map: Interactive Mapping feature to help consumers and organizations find information and application forms for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly Food Stamps) in their state.

Downloadable Application Forms: Application Forms and Fact Sheets for programs included in BenefitsCheckUp for those seeking additional information and/or who are ready to apply for programs

Online Application for Rx Extra Help: Provide consumers and organizations with a user-friendly online LIS application that is electronically submitted to the Social Security Administration, while automatically screening for other key federal and state benefits


To date, nearly 2.5 million screenings have been completed using BenefitsCheckUp with a dollar value of benefits of over 8.4 billion

Advocacy Counseling

Education Employment Energy Food Stamps Health Home Repair Home Care

Income Legal Medicaid Medicare Nutrition Information / Assistance Pharmaceutical Programs Social Security Benefits Tax Relief Transportation

BenefitsCheckUp


“Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”


BenefitsCheckUp Enhancements OverviewThe enhanced BenefitsCheckUp has expanded beyond a benefits screening service. Listed below are the key NEW and enhanced features.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Application Forms Service

Enhanced BenefitsCheckUp Application Forms Center

National Medicaid Office Locator NEW Benefits Enrollment Data Mapping

Tool

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BenefitsCheckUp and SNAP

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The New Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Application Forms Service provides:

important and timely information without performing a screening

easy-to-understand, state specific information about the SNAP program in all states

links to state specific online applications, websites, Information and enrollment hotlines, and multi-program and multi-language application forms

new user-friendly inter-active mapping technology COMING SOON: SNAP online enrollment pilot in New

Jersey and Pennsylvania


BenefitsCheckUp and SNAP

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The map below showcases the New interactive BenefitsCheckUp mapping technology.

Choose Your State


BenefitsCheckUp and Application Forms

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The enhanced BenefitsCheckUp Application Forms Center provides quick and easy access to program fact sheets and application forms for thousands of benefits programs.

Application Forms can be completed by: printing and completing by hand; entering information on the screen by using the fillable

applications; and applying online, when program administering agency permits

online enrollments

Key state/city application forms included are: Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, SPAPs, and PAPs



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Choose by Category

The screens below display different views of the Application Forms Center.



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The Application Forms Center provides program descriptions, local offices and program websites. All information is available without performing a screening.


BenefitsCheckUp Medicaid Office LocatorThe New National Medicaid Office Locator quickly finds county Medicaid office(s) to help facilitate Medicaid enrollment. Features include:

New Interactive Map that allows search by county, city/town, or zip code Google Mapping feature

with one click of a button, instant access to maps and directions for all Medicaid offices nationwide Medicaid local office address pre-populates from BenefitsCheckUp into Google Map

All of the above available without performing a screening

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BenefitsCheckUp Medicaid Office Locator

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Clicking on the state map allows for searches by county, city/town, or zip code

Choose Your State


BenefitsCheckUp Medicaid Office Locator

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Example of the Google mapping feature with data pre-populated from BenefitsCheckUp

Click on county/city or enter your zip

code

Google Mapping


Benefits Enrollment Data Map

Sharing the data benefits counselors need to better target their resources and efforts


Benefits Data Map- What is it? Our new data-display technology to help your organization maximize its benefits outreach and enrollment efforts.

This tool can help you and your clients:

Functions

Compare Benefits Data

Understand Benefits

Programs

Find Help

Goals: • Improve Targeting• Guide Advocacy• Measure Performance

Inform and Educate:• Eligibility Req.• Important Deadlines

• Enroll in benefits• Understand benefits• Guide consumers

Content:

• Maps• Tables• Graphs

• Program Description

• Phone• Web site


Questions/comments?

Contact:[email protected]

Visit us on the Web at: www.BenefitsCheckUp.org

Improving the lives of older Americans Using Technology to Screen and Enroll People in Benefits: An...

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