As a community we need to lobby for a delay in implementation of passive enrollment into FIDA plans.  I am hearing over and over again from Medicaid beneficiaries receiving the letter that they have NO idea what they are being asked to do or why.  Either they do nothing or call Medicare (as required by the notice) and cannot get through (which happens most of the time) or if they do get to speak with a live person the paper work is going awry and they are enrolled in a FIDA plan even after notice to Medicare that they want to opt out of FIDA.  Apparently, there is no alternative way of “opting” out except by telephone.; a beneficiary cannot fax or email Medicare or the FIDA Plan into which they may be enrolled to opt-out.

I recently spoke at the Alzheimer’s Association meeting on Knowing Your Legal Rights.  Out of 35-40 people in the room, several received the letter and not one of them understood what to do with it. It is raising a lot of concern and anxiety.  Already this week I received several inquiries from confused consumers and their was a lot of confusion about the program when it was discussed at this week’s annual meeting of the Elder Law Section of the NYSBA Bar Association.

So, what can we do?  For what it is worth, my thoughts are:

1. Roll back the implementation date

2. Edit the letters for clarity and “Flesh” score them for readability

3. Provide alternative methods for opting out of the program

4. Jump start and education program for consumers and providers of health care services and the legal community.