Loss of Medicare Part D Assistance Associated with Increased Mortality in Low-Income Seniors

Recent research from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified a concerning link between the discontinuation of a federally funded prescription assistance program and increased mortality rates among low-income older adults. The Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), which benefits approximately 14.2 million beneficiaries—including many seniors—by covering costs averaging around $6,200 annually for prescription medications, is at the center of this investigation.

The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrates that when individuals lose Medicaid coverage—automatic for dual-eligible beneficiaries—there is a significant rise in mortality. Specifically, those who lost access to LIS due to Medicaid withdrawal experienced a 4% higher mortality rate compared to those who retained their benefits. Over the course of the study, more than 2,900 deaths were recorded, with a disproportionate impact observed among patients requiring complex and costly treatments, such as HIV antiretroviral therapy, where mortality increased by 22%.

The analysis involved nearly a million participants and focused on the timing of Medicaid loss, which directly influenced LIS eligibility. Results showed that many individuals who lost Medicaid again regained eligibility within a year, indicating that procedural gaps led to unnecessary disenrollments.

Lead author Dr. Eric T. Roberts emphasized that maintaining Medicaid and LIS enrollment is crucial for life preservation among vulnerable seniors. Dr. Figueroa highlighted that recent declines in Medicaid coverage pose serious risks, urging policymakers to safeguard these programs to prevent avoidable deaths.

This study underscores the importance of continuous Medicaid coverage for older adults to ensure access to essential medications, ultimately saving lives and supporting health equity.