Preventive Benefits

HAP has created the following package of materials to support SHIP efforts to promote Medicare's preventive benefits to support strong and healthy communities, based on priorities set in the 2008 SHIP Grant Announcement

• A detailed outline of each Medicare preventive benefit, eligibility for each benefit, and cost of each benefit under Original Medicare.
• A chart that describes how these benefits can prevent chronic conditions common among the Medicare population.
• A sampling of outreach strategies that can be used raise awareness about the availability and importance of preventive benefits.

CMS language on prioritizing preventive benefits promotion and outreach:

• "Grant funds from CMS will enhance States' efforts to … help beneficiaries understand and utilize their Medicare benefits, including Medicare preventive benefits" (p. 2).
• "In FY 2008, CMS is particularly interested in partnerships designed to support coordinated, community-wide efforts to help beneficiaries learn about, understand, and utilize preventive services covered by Medicare and support applications for the Low-Income Subsidy" (p. 6).