OPTIONS FOR AIDING LOW-INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Qualified Medicare Benefi ciary (QMB), Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), and Qua lified Individual (QI) programs that seek to ease the financial burden s of health costs on low-income Medicare beneficiaries. While particip ation in these programs has been increasing steadily over time, much r emains to be done to extend benefits to all those currently eligible. This paper estimates levels of participation in the existing programs and considers several scenarios under which participation could be inc reased further, including federalizing the existing programs, raising or eliminating asset limits, and raising income ceilings.