January 27, 2010

From the Director's Desk:
2010 State of the SHIPs Report

As President Barack Obama prepares to deliver the State of the Union address later today, it is with great excitement that HAP releases its 2010 State of the SHIPs report. President Obama is likely to address a range of pressing social issues and challenges that affect us as a nation, and as individuals. For many of us, these issues and challenges also influence and define our priorities and goals — both professional and personal — as we enter a new year and a new decade.

HAP's State of the SHIPs report identifies many of the challenges facing SHIPs and Medicare beneficiaries today. A key finding from the report is that SHIPs, similar to many other direct service programs, are experiencing an increase in the demand for their services due to the downturn in the economy. Other factors, such as the growing complexity of the Medicare program, are also driving a larger number of beneficiaries to SHIP programs for in-depth counseling and assistance, particularly around Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. The intricacies of the MA program, including the coordination of these plans with state Medicaid programs, continue to be among the top issues affecting beneficiaries.

The report includes other key findings in the areas of Medicare education and training, counselor certification, and volunteers:

• More than half of SHIPs — 62 percent — would like additional Coordination of Benefits training materials.
• Almost two-thirds — 65 percent — of programs certify counselors as a means of quality assurance.
• The majority of programs — 95 percent — use volunteers.

In the coming months, HAP will share the State of the SHIPs report with stakeholders and partners to convey the critical role of SHIPs in helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate the health care system. We look forward to working with you as we move closer to a shared vision of a fully resourced SHIP network that empowers Medicare beneficiaries to access appropriate health care coverage and services to improve their quality of life.

Sincerely,
Lee Thompson
Executive Director

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