Consumers' information needs

Programs should require those selling partnership policies to educate consumers to make informed decisions about whether a partnership policy is right for them. If so, they may need advice on which policy best meets their needs. Information must also be provided about Medicaid’s income and other eligibility requirements and the state’s right to change them. 

Federal and state agencies should establish clear and simple documentation requirements to ensure purchasers’ timely and uncomplicated access to Medicaid. 

Partnership policies should be clearly described and written in plain language. 

States should: 

• set out suitability standards for partnership policies and clearly educate consumers about Medicaid eligibility standards, 
• establish the specific inflation protection standards that a policy must provide to qualify as a partnership policy in the state, 
• educate consumers that compound inflation protection offers the best assurance of future benefit adequacy, and 
• prohibit the future purchase option as an inflation protection measure for purchasers under the age of 61.