NCOA Request For Proposals - Streamlining Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Enrollment Research Project

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Streamlining Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Enrollment Research Project 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) operates the National Center for Benefits Outreach and Enrollment (NCBOE), which is funded under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). NCOA is committed to generating and disseminating new knowledge about best practices and cost-effective strategies for benefits outreach and enrollment. The focus of this project is to investigate how different states are streamlining benefits enrollment. NCOA is seeking a consulting firm to conduct a series of case studies (3-5 states) to investigate how different states are administering Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) leads data and to identify lessons learned. These case studies and learnings will be shared to help inform and prepare other states for the new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule: Streamlining Medicaid; Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Determination and Enrollment (hereafter known as the CMS Final Rule). These case studies will examine states that are in different phases of reform and identify states that have been successful in streamlining eligibility. The studies will also identify barriers, successes, and lessons that these states can share with others as they work to implement the CMS Final Rule.

KEY DATE:  Applications are due Friday, August 23, 2024 at 5 p.m. ET

Purpose of this RFP

The purpose of this RFP is to find a consulting firm that will research how states are handling Part D LIS leads data to increase Medicare Savings Program (MSP) enrollment. NCOA, under a cooperative agreement funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) to operate the NCBOE, is requesting proposals to conduct this research and complete 3-5 case studies based on findings within the identified states.

Outcomes of the research will include:

• Identification of states that have been successful in streamlining eligibility programs
• Identification of barriers, successes, and lessons that these states can share with other states
• Determination of how these states are handling LIS leads data to increase MSP enrollment

This research will be shared to help inform and prepare other states for the new CMS Final Rule that will require compliance in 2026. The CMS Final Rule will make it easier for millions of eligible people to enroll in and retain their MSP coverage. It will reduce red tape and simplify MSP enrollment, helping millions of older adults and people with disabilities to afford coverage. The CMS Final Rule will reduce documentation burden and streamline enrollment of eligible LIS recipients into MSPs.[1] Detailed information about the CMS Final Rule can be found here: CMS Final Rule.

Funding Opportunity Deliverables

The primary activities to be undertaken during the project, are:

1. Address the following research questions to determine how different states are handling LIS leads data to increase MSP enrollment:

a.     Which states have been successful in streamlining eligibility programs? To be successful in streamlining eligibility programs, a state may be doing any of the following: 

i.     Using LIS leads data to begin the application process for MSP enrollment                                                

ii.     Combining applications for multiple benefits                                                       

iii.     Conducting automatic enrollment in benefits instead of sending applications to individuals identified through LIS leads data                                                        

iv.     Obtaining additional information for applicants when LIS data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not sufficient.

b.     How are states handling LIS leads data to increase MSP enrollment?

c.     What are barriers, successes, and lessons that successful states can share with other states?

2. Conduct interviews that inform 3-5 case studies with at least 3 individuals across different agencies or departments in each state who have been integral in developing and implementing reforms. 

Interview questions should include the following:

a. Where is your state currently in the process of streamlining applications and increasing MSP enrollment?

b. Is there an existing system(s) that can be automated and scaled to achieve the intended goal of simplifying and increasing enrollment in MSP?  

c. Have you developed any new system(s) to achieve the intended goal of simplifying and increasing enrollment in MSP?

d. In what ways has your state used model applications and LIS leads data to pre-populate applications for MSP?

e. What successes have you encountered during the process of streamlining applications and increasing MSP enrollment? 

f. What challenges have you encountered during the process of streamlining applications and increasing MSP enrollment? 

g. Which stakeholders have you needed to engage throughout the process to be successful?

h. Who are the major providers of benefit information?

i. What have been your key milestones and measures of success?

j. What lessons have you learned from the challenges during this process?

k. How should issues of access and equity for beneficiaries be accounted for to ensure the potential eligible beneficiaries become enrolled?  

l. Please provide any additional information that is pertinent to share with other states that are embarking on this work. 

3. Draft in-depth case studies on 3-5 states identified in consultation and collaboration with NCOA. Each case study must be a five-page stand-alone product that includes the following:

a. General background information on state public benefits landscape to provide a context for reforms

b. A brief historical overview of what has happened in the state regarding recent state health insurance enrollment (i.e., did the state participate in Medicaid expansion; does the state use electronic record systems for enrollment; current application processes; recertification requirements, etc.)

c. Takeaways from interviews with state administrators and beneficiary advocates that were integral in developing and implementing reforms that can help inform other states interested in conducting similar work  

4. Disseminate key findings from the case studies to stakeholders via NCOA, ACL, and MIPPA networks throughout calendar year 2025. This should be done using the following measures:

a. The selected firm will develop and deliver a PowerPoint slide presentation for use by NCOA and ACL, as NCOA requests.

b. The selected firm will participate as requested in up to 2 conference presentations and up to 2 webinars. 

c. One representative from the selected firm will attend a Feasibility Study Summit hosted by NCOA in Arlington, VA on September 12, 2024.

d. The selected firm will develop an infographic and fact sheet on key findings.

All deliverables will go through a final review by NCOA and ACL, and the selected firm must agree to 2 rounds of revision for the final product.

Project Timeline 

NCOA expects the Streamlining MSP Enrollment Research Study and dissemination of results to take approximately 11 to 12 months. The work will begin in September 2024 with the identification of potential states for case studies. NCOA will hold biweekly meetings with the selected firm throughout the first 3 months of the project and will then move to monthly meetings throughout the remaining contract period. Case studies and all deliverables should be completed by July 31, 2025. 

Eligibility  

Research, consulting, nonprofit, and governmental service firms are eligible to apply.  

 The ideal firm will have the following qualifications, experiences, and capabilities: 

• Demonstrated understanding and proven experience conducting case studies 
• Expertise in public policy issues, particularly as it relates to public benefits programs  
• Knowledge of MSP and LIS programs
• Expertise in technical systems requirements for online platforms  
• Experience conducting interviews

Proposal Elements and Selection Criteria 

All proposals must include the following, with a total limit of 20 pages:

• Background including experience, capabilities, and qualifications within the benefits landscape including:

 Any previously conducted case studies or qualitative data collection and analysis involving public benefits

 Case studies or qualitative data collection and analysis that have involved MSP and LIS benefits 

 Case studies or qualitative data collection and analysis that have involved streamlining benefits

 Experience with related public policy

• Description of approach
• Description of the Project Director’s role and relevant experience and skillset, as well as resumes/CVs of all key staff members   

 Any experience that the Project Director or staff has had conducting interviews and qualitative analysis

• Workplan with a timeline of deliverables 
• Budget and budget narrative 

If possible, firms should submit relevant examples of their work (these examples will not be applied to your proposal page total). If examples may not be shown for proprietary reasons, please provide a description of the materials that were prepared for the effort.  

NCOA will conduct interviews with the final firms under consideration the week of September 2, 2024.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria, adding up to 100 points: 

Selection Criteria Scoring

Experience within the Benefits Landscape

Describe the firm’s background and experience within the public benefits landscape:

• Does the firm currently or has the firm previously conducted case studies or qualitative data collection and analysis involving public benefits?
• Have any of these case studies or qualitative data collection and analysis involved MSP and LIS benefits in particular?
• Does the firm have experience with streamlining benefits studies?
• What kind of experience does the firm have with related public policy? 25 pts  

Description of Approach 

Describe the firm’s approach to completing this project:

• Clearly state how the firm will address research questions and determine how different states are handling LIS leads data to increase MSP enrollment.
• Clearly state how the firm will conduct case studies of states.
• How will the firm conduct interviews that inform the case studies?
• Clearly describe the analysis approach. 35 pts 

Description of the Project Director’s Role and Relevant Experience

Describe the Project Director’s role and relevant experience and skillset:

• What experience does the Project Director and key staff have conducting interviews and analyzing qualitative data?
• Resumes/CVs of all key staff members have been provided. 15 pts  

Workplan and Timeline of Deliverables

The firm has provided a workplan and timeline of deliverables to include dates between September 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025. 15 pts  

Budget

The firm has provided a clear budget with narrative justification. Budget includes:

• A per-state amount, or the cost per state that the firm anticipates it will incur as part of its work.
• Funding allocated for travel including travel to interviews, if the firm plans to conduct interviews in person.
• All expenses listed are clearly justified. 10 pts 

Budget 

The study will be conducted under a cost-reimbursement contract. The response document must include a final price that will include a per-state amount, or the cost per state that the firm anticipates it will incur as part of this effort. 

Provide detailed budget information below, with a separate area for narrative justification.

Categories Budget Narrative Justification 

Personnel     

Direct Labor    

Stipends    

Fringe Benefits  

Personnel Total    

Other Direct Costs    

Travel costs including travel to interviews*    

Other    

Other Direct Total    

Indirect Costs (10% limit)    

GRAND TOTAL    

*Please indicate how the firm plans to conduct interviews, either in-person, virtually or both.

How to Apply 

Applicants must submit an electronic proposal with the elements described above by 5 p.m. ET on August 23, 2024. Proposals should be submitted in PDF or Word document format via email to Center4EWB@ncoa.org.

NCOA will not accept any materials submitted late, and we will not be able to review incomplete proposals. 

Inquiries 

All inquiries regarding this RFP should be emailed to Center for Economic Well-Being Team at Center4EWB@ncoa.org.

Application Timeline  

August 5, 2024, 12 p.m. ET 

• Application opens 

August 23, 2024, 5 p.m. ET

• Deadline for submission of proposals

September 1, 2024

• Anticipated project start date  

About the National Council on Aging 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools (online and in community), best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. NCOA has a goal to improve the health and economic security of 40 million older adults by 2030. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

Use of Grant Funds 

This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $53,372,597 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.