New Avisery resource now available! Scroll down to access: “Avisery Guide to Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Supportive Services in Illinois”
Navigating Medicare and Medicaid can be daunting for consumers AND professionals.
Avisery is here to help guide smart decision-making.
We build the capacity of professionals to knowledgeably guide the health coverage decisions of older adults and adults with disabilities, work to lower barriers to accessing health benefits, and advocate for policies that expand affordable health insurance for these populations.
Avisery offers:
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Training on Medicare and Medicaid designed for professionals with varying levels of experience
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Email alerts, tip sheets, resource documents, and other educational materials for professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest Medicare and Medicaid policy changes as they happen
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Technical assistance for professionals, including expert guidance, skills for resolving coverage problems; and helpful go-to resources
Helping older adults and adults with disabilities navigate Medicare and Medicaid can be a daunting task for professionals. It’s no secret that Medicare and Medicaid are complex and confusing – and that uninformed decision-making and inappropriate planning can have consequences that contribute to economic instability for older adults and adults with disabilities.
Avisery Training
Avisery teaches professionals who work with older adults and adults with disabilities to:
- Understand the differences and costs of services provided under Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans and Medicare prescription drug coverage
- Determine eligibility for benefits under Medicare and Medicaid
- Maximize plan benefits to meet client/member/patient needs
- Navigate transitions in healthcare coverage as beneficiaries become eligible for Medicare and/or Medicaid
- And more!
Interactive Trainings
Avisery Training Specialists offer trainings for audiences with varying expertise. Beginning in 2023, Avisery plans to offer both virtual curriculum and in-person training. Our training calendar will be released in late Spring. Our trainings include:
- Medicare Counselor
- Medicaid Counselor
- Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMAI) and Medicaid Managed Care
- Medicaid Redeterminations
- Medicaid Spenddown
- Options for Duals
- And more!
Avisery Webinars
Click here for access to recordings of Avisery Webinars!
Avisery Training FAQs
Why should I attend an Avisery program?
Our trainings and presentations are based on years of experience and deep expertise in how Medicare, Medicaid and other health benefits actually work for older adults and people with disabilities. We present complex information in an engaging, easy-to-understand format. As a local organization, we can also provide context for how healthcare programs work in Illinois.
Are Avisery programs appropriate for staff or clients who live outside Illinois?
Yes. We work with you to understand and address the needs of your staff and clients, wherever they’re located. We can refer program participants to local help with Medicare and Medicaid in Illinois or in their home state. We also can provide our training as a webinar.
Do you offer discounts to nonprofit organizations?
Avisery by AgeOptions has received foundation grant support to offer our Counselor Trainings to nonprofit organizations at a discounted rate. Additionally, limited scholarships may be available for qualified community-based organizations. Contact us at avisery@ageoptions.org for more information.
Email Alerts and Other Resources
Scroll down for a wide variety of resources for professionals!
Recent Avisery Alerts
6/28/23: Urgent! Upcoming Changes to HBIA and HBIS
6/27/23: Intro to Redeterminations Training Recording and Slide Deck
6/22/23: New MMAI Passive Enrollment Cohorts Due to the Unwinding Period
6/20/23: HFS Pausing Enrollment into Health Benefits for Immigrant Adults on July 1st
6/15/23: Summer 2023 Medicare Training Offered by CMS National Training Program
6/12/23: UPDATED Hospital and Community Transitions Guide for Professionals
5/18/23: New Hospital and Community Transitions Guide for Professionals
5/17/23: Asset Test Reinstatement and AgeOptions 2023 Chart of Benefit
5/2/23: Updates to Coverage for COVID-19 Tests and CMS Consumer Factsheet
3/30/23: New 2023 AABD Medicaid and Medicare Savings Program Income and Asset Limits
3/16/23: Recording & FAQ from “HFS’ Plans for the Medicaid Unwinding” Webinar
3/7/23: Update on Unwinding of Medicaid Continuous Eligibility in Illinois
To be added to our email list, click “Contact Avisery” below.
New Resource! Avisery Guide to Medicare and Medicaid Coverage for Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility and Home Supportive Services in Illinois
Avisery’s DHS Application Coversheet
Click Avisery DHS Application Coversheet to access a template that can be used when submitting documentation for Medicaid Spenddown cases. The coversheet will help alert the DHS caseworker as to how medical expenses should be applied to meet the applicant’s spenddown deductible.
AgeOptions Chart of Benefits
Click Chart of Benefits- May 2023 to access this popular desk aid from Avisery. This chart is intended as as a resource tool for professionals to use when screening clients for benefit programs. The chart lists income, assets, and a quick overview of eligibility requirements for various public programs in Illinois including Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, the Benefits Access Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), LIHEAP, SNAP (Food Stamps), Access to Care, Community Spousal Impoverishment and other programs.Please note that this chart is designed for professionals and should not be altered or distributed to consumers.
Resources on the End of Medicaid Continuous Coverage
FAQ From Avisery Webinar: HFS Plans for the Medicaid Unwinding (as of 3/16/23)
External Resources Regarding the End of Continuous Medicaid Coverage
IL Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS):
- Illinois Medicaid and the End of Continuous Coverage FAQ
- Renewing My Medicaid Consumer Education
- Public Education Subcommittee Meeting 3/1/23 Slide Deck
IL Department of Human Services (DHS):
Resources on the Medicare Savings Programs
Coming soon!
Avisery by AgeOptions
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, Illinois
60301-1102