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5d ago

Study Links Medicaid Disenrollment to Increased Mortality Among Low-Income Seniors

Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine finds a 4% rise in mortality tied to loss of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy, with vulnerable groups like HIV patients facing even greater risks.

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Overview

  • Medicaid disenrollment leads to the loss of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), a program worth $6,200 annually that helps 14.2 million low-income beneficiaries afford essential medications.
  • The study found a 4% higher mortality rate among individuals who lost the LIS earlier, resulting in over 2,900 deaths during the study period.
  • Mortality rates were particularly severe for HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy, with a 22% increase in deaths when the LIS was lost earlier.
  • More than half of those who lost Medicaid regained it within a year, highlighting systemic issues with wrongful disenrollment and coverage churn.
  • Researchers emphasize the urgent need for policy reforms to ensure uninterrupted Medicaid and LIS eligibility, preventing avoidable deaths and improving health equity.