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REACH OUT 2002 - Building Successful Coalitions to Enroll Dual Eligibles

Training Summary

Nearly 200 individuals traveled from every corner of the country to attend REACH OUT 2002: Building Successful Coalitions to Enroll Dual Eligibles and helped to make the event a great success!

Jointly presented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Social Security Administration, the workshop took place on June 12-13 in Philadelphia, PA, drawing senior- and mid-level program administrators who educate and enroll dual-eligible beneficiaries in the Medicare Savings Programs (Dual Eligible Programs).

As delegates from 33 states, participants represented:

• Area Agencies on Aging
• Beneficiary Advocacy Groups
• Community Based Organizations
• Community Health Centers
• Faith-based Organizations
• Federal, State, and Local Policy Offices
• Indian Health Service and Tribes
• Local and County Welfare Offices
• Provider Organizations
• Social Security Offices
• State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Programs
• State Medicaid Agencies
• State Primary Care Associations
• State Units on Aging

The two-day workshop trained participants in partnership building to enhance collaboration among Federal, State, Tribal, faith-based, local, provider, and beneficiary representatives and others who are working to enroll dual eligibles. It also offered individuals a unique opportunity to exchange valuable information with colleagues and learn new strategies and skills for reaching this targeted population. Specifically, the jam-packed agenda featured:

• Winning strategies for developing, sustaining, and evaluating multi-level partnerships;
• Model techniques for defining the coalition structure and managing the decision-making process;
• Creative tactics for positioning and marketing a coalition in the marketplace;
• Innovative approaches to beneficiary outreach and enrollment;
• A preview of upcoming public service announcements from the revised dual eligible outreach kit; and
• Demonstrated methods for developing and promoting successful multicultural outreach – a session so well liked that meeting participants responded with a spontaneous, standing ovation at the conclusion of the session.

Reach Out Training Summary

Here are some of the things that participants had to say about the training:
Day 1: 89% rated excellent/good
Day 2: 95% rated excellent/good

• "This has been an outstanding conference. I have received very practical & useful info that I will be able to utilize in my state agency & training coordinators who provide support for outreach efforts. Than you for this special opportunity & all of the hard work that went into organizing this event!! In the end, it will definitely help us reach additional individuals on Medicare who are low income."
• "This is the best workshop I ever attended!!"
• "Amazing conference! Thank you for all the wonderful tools!"
• "Overall training is an excellent learning experience and should happen at least every other year."
• "I learned a lot. I did not lose interest or feel bored. He (trainer) was excellent! Content was just right and applicable to real work situation."

Participants left Philadelphia with renewed enthusiasm, equipped with comprehensive skills, practical tools, and networking contacts for effective coalition building to enroll low-income Medicare beneficiaries in the Medicare Savings (Dual Eligible) Programs. Sponsors left with documentation of the coalitions that exist within the states, those that are newly forming, and a commitment of their next steps to increase the enrollment of dual eligibles. Regional office staff members will be following up with the designated contact to provide technical assistance and follow-up on their activities.

Next Steps

The training does not end here. The two-day training sessions were video taped. Those tapes are now being edited to create a video training module on coalition building and multi-cultural outreach. To accompany the video, CMS is creating a CD that will contain all of the Power Point presentations and breakout exercises that are used in the training. Once complete, we will distribute the complete training package to the regions, State Medicaid Directors, state dual eligible designees, State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Directors, and key beneficiary groups – giving them all the tools they need to provide regional, and local training. CMS central office and regional office staff will be providing technical assistance. Thomas Wolf and Carolyn Holmes (trainers at the conference) have agreed to provide expert, technical support with the local and regional efforts with any remaining funds.

REACH OUT 2002: Building Successful Coalitions to Enroll Dual Eligibles was a great success and will go a long way in assisting our partners in the enrollment of dual eligibles. Together, as Partners and members of Coalitions, we can, and will, improve the access to care for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.