Melanie Bella on How CMS is Working to Increase Access of Quality Services for Dual Eligibles

Melanie Bella, director, Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says the sole focus of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office is to increase coordination and access to services on many fronts. One way CMS is increasing access for dual eligibles is through the Program Alignment Initiative. It looks at programs and how they do or do not work together for beneficiaries.

“We are very focused on data, which may not sound like a direct benefit to beneficiaries, but getting Medicare data linked with Medicaid data and into the hands of care managers allows us to foster coordination and access for beneficiaries,” said Ms Bella.

CMS is also sponsoring demonstrations that integrate the full spectrum of Medicaid and Medicare services. These provide beneficiary enhancements so that beneficiaries are getting access to all the care they are entitled to under both programs.