# Plain Language Summary: Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act of 2021

This bill makes it easier for people transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare to automatically get help paying for prescription drugs. Right now, when someone turns 65 and becomes eligible for Medicare, they often have to apply separately for financial assistance with drug costs. This bill changes that by automatically enrolling certain low-income people who were on Medicaid into a program that helps them afford their medications without having to fill out extra paperwork or applications.

The specific people who benefit are those who were receiving Medicaid benefits before they turned 65 and whose income is below 200 percent of the poverty line (roughly $26,000 per year for an individual). Instead of having to navigate a separate application process for Medicare's prescription drug help, these individuals would automatically qualify for subsidies that reduce what they pay for medications. This matters because prescription drugs can be expensive, and many seniors skip doses or don't fill prescriptions because they can't afford them. By removing the application barrier, more eligible people will actually get the help they need.

The change takes effect for Medicare drug plans starting January 1, 2022. The bill essentially streamlines the process by using information the government already has from Medicaid enrollment to automatically qualify people for drug cost assistance when they reach Medicare age. This reduces confusion, paperwork, and the chance that eligible people miss out on help simply because they didn't know to apply or found the process too complicated.

Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act of 2021

Pappas, Chris

Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act of 2021 This bill specifies that certain Medicaid enrollees automatically qualify for low-income subsidies under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Specifically, the bill automatically qualifies individuals who were enrolled in Medicaid before they turned 65 (as part of Medicaid expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and whose income is below 200% of the federal poverty line.