Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which help individuals with limited incomes pay Medicare premiums, copays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses, could save eligible people a minimum of $165 each month in healthcare costs, according to a blog posted recently by AARP. However,  many people who are eligible for these programs haven't signed up for them; they may not be aware of the programs or are put off by the unwieldy application process. The result: Only about half the people eligible for MSPs have actually take advantage of them.

AARP is working with other nonprofit organizations to boost the number of individuals eligible, and to get those who are eligible enrolled, by testing a variety of outreach and messaging strategies. The effort addresses a "crucial need," according to the blog.  "Of the many Americans who could benefit from this financial assistance, more than 1.4 million may already qualify but don't realize it or aren't enrolling for another reason."

The AARP Foundation's current round of funding of eligible organization partners includes seven grantees that aim to serve more than 7,000 individuals. Results of the group's efforts using various outreach strategies "will hopefully inform other MSP enrollment efforts around the country as states, nonprofits, healthcare providers and other organizations work to ensure older adults can afford the health care services they need." To learn more and read the blog, visit: https://blog.aarp.org/thinking-policy/older-americans-can-afford-health-care-through-available-programs