Friday, May 9, 2025
5/9/2025
DACL SHIP Program - Notice of Funding Opportunity—HHS-2025-ACL-CIP-SAPG-003 District of Columbia—Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Project Narrative 2025–2030: Five-Year Base Grant Project Abstract: The DC State Health Insurance Assistance Program (DC SHIP), within the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), provides high-quality support and guidance to Medicare beneficiaries, especially those with limited or no English proficiency (LEP or NEP), low-income residents, and people under the age of 65 with disabilities. Through objective counseling, comprehensive training, and outreach, DC SHIP assists beneficiaries and caregivers with Medicare enrollment, reviewing plan options and prescription drug plans, and coordinating with local and federal agencies for support services. To expand impact, DC SHIP will create a volunteer training manual to enhance service quality and translate outreach materials into multiple languages to better engage diverse populations. DC SHIP is committed to enhancing access to accurate Medicare information, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding our ability to serve the public while addressing the evolving needs of DC residents. Problem Statement: The District of Columbia (DC) has a growing Medicare population, steadily increasing from 94,058 beneficiaries in 2019 to 95,243 in 2023, with projections suggesting it could reach 96,724 by 2028. This growth underscores the rising demand for accessible and unbiased healthcare support in a city known for its high cost of living. While DC has a relatively low uninsured rate of 2.7% compared to the national average of 8.0%, barriers to care persist, particularly for the 21.8% of residents living below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) Many eligible residents remain unaware of their benefits, deterred by misconceptions, the stigma surrounding public assistance, and concerns like estate recovery, leaving them vulnerable in a system meant to provide critical support. These challenges highlight the urgent need for targeted outreach and education to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all DC residents. Underserved populations, such as individuals with limited or no English proficiency (LEP), those who do not attend traditional community outreach events, and adults under 65 with disabilities, face compounding challenges. Without proper guidance, many low-income Medicare beneficiaries forego or drop supplemental health benefits, leaving them underinsured, vulnerable to medical debt, and at risk of neglecting chronic health conditions. This creates significant economic and healthcare challenges for already marginalized populations, DC SHIP has made significant strides in addressing these challenges. For instance, the team submitted 1402 QMB applications between September 2020 and November 2024, earning national recognition from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) at the 2024 OHIC Conference in New Orleans. DC SHIP set a standard of excellence by completing applications within 10 days, surpassing the national average of 45 to 60 days. Despite these achievements, the growing Medicare population highlights the continued need to enhance awareness, visibility, and outreach efforts, particularly in Medicare education, enrollment, re-certification, balance billing, and low-income subsidy programs. Expanding efforts to engage hard-to-reach populations, particularly those facing language barriers or systemic inequities, is essential to ensure that all residents—aging adults, individuals with disabilities, and seniors—receive the benefits and support they need. By strengthening its initiatives, DC SHIP aims to bridge these gaps, providing equitable access to healthcare and economic stability for the District’s most vulnerable populations. Goals and Objectives: Service Excellence: Objective 1: Consistently and confidentially provide accurate, objective, and comprehensive information and
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).