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Learn about what CMS is doing to reach out to people with Medicare who also have mental illness. Materials for SHIP Directors and for General Advocacy Organizations are available below in the Downloads section. Background: Mental illness – which includes "health conditions that are characterized by alterations in thinking, mood, or behavior…. associated with distress and/or impaired functioning". Data from the 2004 Medicare Beneficiary Survey show: - 53% of people with Medicare who are under 65 years of age and disabled report having been told that they have a mental or psychiatric disorder and
- 12% of people with Medicare who are over 65 and not disabled report having been told that they have a mental or psychiatric disorder
This data suggests that people who counsel beneficiaries about their Medicare benefits are likely to encounter mental illness among those they assist. This could be particularly true of younger, disabled beneficiaries. People with mental illness, who live within the community, may need extra support in making decisions about the Medicare program but depression, cognitive impairment or other manifestations of mental illness may make decision making difficult. Social stigmas and a lack of understanding and sensitivity to issues associated with mental illness can make this population vulnerable and underserved. Approach: In support of increased education and outreach efforts to serve people with mental illness, CMS worked with external partners to create a technical assistance program (TAP) that focuses on building bridges and expanding the network of help to people with a mental illness who are eligible for Medicare. Initially designed to be used by counselors in State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), the toolkit for this program – called SHIP-TAP – can be used by any organization working with people with mental illness. Helpful Tools for Partners: The information on this page and the mental health toolkit will help you understand how CMS is working with regional offices, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, and mental health organizations to reach out the Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness. Counseling Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness: To support increased education and outreach efforts to Medicare beneficiaries with mental illness, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) worked with external partners to create a technical assistance program (TAP) that focuses on expanding the network of help available to these beneficiaries. Although the toolkit for this program – called SHIP-TAP – was designed for counselors in State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), the tip sheets from the Sensitivity and Awareness section of the TAP can be used by any organization working with people with mental illness.
Page Last Modified: 09/15/2008 6:26:53 AM
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