RWHAP Part B/ADAP Coordination with Medicare

As the population of people with HIV age, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) must be prepared to adapt to meet changing needs of clients. One impact of the aging of RWHAP clients is the increased proportion of RWHAP clients on Medicare. Historically, the majority of RWHAP clients qualified for Medicare based on a disability determination. However, as RWHAP clients age, more are also entering the Medicare program as they turn 65. The demographics of RWHAP clients indicate that this latter group will only continue to grow. According to NASTAD’s RWHAP Part B and ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report, the proportion of ADAP clients who are Medicare-eligible continues to rise each year, a direct reflection of the overall aging population of people with HIV.

This resource walks through some of the basic elements of the Medicare program and provides information to support RWHAP Part B/ADAP staff in adapting program activities to better coordinate with Medicare coverage, including providing premium and cost-sharing assistance for clients. For a more comprehensive overview of the Medicare program as well as client-facing resources, please visit the Medicare resources created as part of the Access, Care, & Engagement (ACE) Technical Assistance Center.

This publication is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).