---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1320b–14"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1320b–14"
heading: "Outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of medicare cost-sharing and subsidies for low-income individuals under subchapter XVIII"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1320b-14"
units:
  - "Chapter 7 — Social Security"
  - "Subchapter XI — General Provisions, Peer Review, and Administrative Simplification"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §1320b–14. Outreach efforts to increase awareness of the availability of medicare cost-sharing and subsidies for low-income individuals under subchapter XVIII

- (a) **Outreach—**
  - (1) **In general—** The Commissioner of [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security (in this section referred to as the “Commissioner”) shall conduct outreach efforts to—
    - (A) identify individuals entitled to benefits under the medicare program under subchapter XVIII who may be eligible for medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program pursuant to sections [1396a(a)(10)(E)](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=a-10-E) and [1396u–3](/usc/42/1396u–3.md) of this title[^1] for the transitional assistance under [section 1395w–141(f) of this title](/usc/42/1395w–141.md?p=f), or for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md); and
    - (B) notify such individuals of the availability of such medical assistance, program, and subsidies under such sections.
  - (2) **Content of notice—** Any notice furnished under [paragraph (1)](#a-1) shall [state](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that eligibility for medicare cost-sharing assistance, the transitional assistance under [section 1395w–141(f) of this title](/usc/42/1395w–141.md?p=f), or premium and cost-sharing subsidies under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md) under such sections is conditioned upon—
    - (A) the individual providing to the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) information about income and resources (in the case of an individual residing in a [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that imposes an assets test for eligibility for medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program); and
    - (B) meeting the applicable eligibility criteria.
- (b) **Coordination with States—**
  - (1) **In general—** In conducting the outreach efforts under this section, the Commissioner shall—
    - (A) furnish the [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) of each [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) responsible for the [administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) of the medicaid program and any other appropriate [State agency](/usc/42/629a.md?p=a-3) with information consisting of the name and address of individuals residing in the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) that the Commissioner determines may be eligible for medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program pursuant to sections [1396a(a)(10)(E)](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=a-10-E) and [1396u–3](/usc/42/1396u–3.md) of this title, for transitional assistance under [section 1395w–141(f) of this title](/usc/42/1395w–141.md?p=f), or for premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income individuals under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md); and
    - (B) update any such information not less frequently than once per year.
  - (2) **Information in periodic updates—** The periodic updates described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#b-1-B) shall include information on individuals who are or may be eligible for the medical assistance, program, and subsidies described in [paragraph (1)(A)](#b-1-A) because such individuals have experienced reductions in benefits under subchapter II.
- (c) **Assistance with Medicare Savings Program and low-income subsidy program applications—**
  - (1) **Distribution of applications and information to individuals who are potentially eligible for low-income subsidy program—** For each individual who submits an application for low-income subsidies under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md), requests an application for such subsidies, or is otherwise identified as an individual who is potentially eligible for such subsidies, the Commissioner shall do the following:
    - (A) Provide information describing the low-income subsidy program under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md) and the Medicare Savings Program (as defined in [paragraph (7)](#c-7)).
    - (B) Provide an application for enrollment under such low-income subsidy program (if not already received by the Commissioner).
    - (C) In accordance with [paragraph (3)](#c-3), transmit data from such an application for purposes of initiating an application for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program.
    - (D) Provide information on how the individual may obtain assistance in completing such application and an application under the Medicare Savings Program, [including](/usc/42/1301.md?p=b) information on how the individual may contact the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) health insurance assistance program (SHIP).
    - (E) Make the application described in [subparagraph (B)](#c-1-B) and the information described in subparagraphs [(A)](#c-1-A) and [(D)](#c-1-D) available at local offices of the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10).
  - (2) **Training personnel in explaining benefit programs and assisting in completing LIS application—** The Commissioner shall provide training to those employees of the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) who are involved in receiving applications for benefits described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B) in order that they may promote beneficiary understanding of the low-income subsidy program and the Medicare Savings Program in order to increase participation in these programs. Such employees shall provide assistance in completing an application described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B) upon request.
  - (3) **Transmittal of data to States—** Beginning on January 1, 2010, with the consent of an individual completing an application for benefits described in [paragraph (1)(B)](#c-1-B), the Commissioner shall electronically transmit to the appropriate [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) Medicaid [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1) data from such application, as determined by the Commissioner, which transmittal shall initiate an application of the individual for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program with the [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) Medicaid [agency](/usc/42/1397n–12.md?p=1). In order to ensure that such data transmittal provides effective assistance for purposes of [State](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) adjudication of applications for benefits under the Medicare Savings Program, the Commissioner shall consult with the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6), after the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) has consulted with the [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5), regarding the content, form, frequency, and manner in which data (on a uniform basis for all [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5)) shall be transmitted under this subparagraph.
  - (4) **Coordination with outreach—** The Commissioner shall coordinate outreach activities under this subsection in connection with the low-income subsidy program and the Medicare Savings Program.
  - (5) **Reimbursement of Social Security Administration administrative costs—**
    - (A) **Initial Medicare Savings Program costs; additional low-income subsidy costs—**
      - (i) **Initial Medicare Savings Program costs—** There are hereby appropriated to the Commissioner to carry out this subsection, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $24,100,000. The amount appropriated under ths[^2] clause shall be available on October 1, 2008, and shall remain available until expended.
      - (ii) **Additional amount for low-income subsidy activities—** There are hereby appropriated to the Commissioner, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $24,800,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2009 to carry out low-income subsidy activities under [section 1395w–114 of this title](/usc/42/1395w–114.md) and the Medicare Savings Program (in accordance with this subsection), to remain available until expended. Such funds shall be in addition to the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10)’s Limitation on Administrative Expenditure appropriations for such [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3).
    - (B) **Subsequent funding under agreements—**
      - (i) **In general—** Effective for [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) beginning on or after October 1, 2010, the Commissioner and the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) shall enter into an agreement which shall provide funding (subject to the amount appropriated under [clause (ii)](#c-5-B-ii)) to cover the administrative costs of the Commissioner’s activities under this subsection. Such agreement shall—
        - (I) provide funds to the Commissioner for the full cost of the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10)’s work related to the Medicare Savings Program required under this section;
        - (II) provide such funding quarterly in advance of the applicable quarter based on estimating methodology agreed to by the Commissioner and the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6); and
        - (III) require an annual accounting and reconciliation of the actual costs incurred and funds provided under this subsection.
      - (ii) **Appropriation—** There are hereby appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) solely for the purpose of providing payments to the Commissioner pursuant to an agreement specified in [clause (i)](#c-5-B-i) that is in effect, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not more than $3,000,000 for [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) 2011 and each [fiscal year](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) thereafter.
    - (C) **Limitation—** In no case shall funds from the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10)’s Limitation on Administrative Expenses be used to carry out activities related to the Medicare Savings Program. For [fiscal years](/usc/42/619.md?p=3) beginning on or after October 1, 2010, no such activities shall be undertaken by the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10) unless the agreement specified in [subparagraph (B)](#c-5-B) is in effect and full funding has been provided to the Commissioner as specified in such subparagraph.
  - (6) **GAO analysis and report—**
    - (A) **Analysis—** The Comptroller General of the [United States](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-2) shall prepare an analysis of the impact of this subsection—
      - (i) in increasing participation in the Medicare Savings Program, and
      - (ii) on [States](/usc/42/619.md?p=5) and the [Social](/usc/42/1397j.md?p=20) Security [Administration](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-10).
    - (B) **Report—** Not later than January 1, 2012, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress, the Commissioner, and the [Secretary](/usc/42/1301.md?p=a-6) a report on the analysis conducted under [subparagraph (A)](#c-6-A).
  - (7) **Medicare Savings Program defined—** For purposes of this subsection, the term “Medicare Savings Program” means the program of medical assistance for payment of the cost of medicare cost-sharing under the Medicaid program pursuant to sections [1396a(a)(10)(E)](/usc/42/1396a.md?p=a-10-E) and [1396u–3](/usc/42/1396u–3.md) of this title.

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “this”.

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, § 1144, as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 911(a)(1)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–583; amended Pub. L. 108–173, title I, § 103(g), Dec. 8, 2003, 117 Stat. 2160; Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 113(a), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2503.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1320b–14, act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, title XI, § 1144, as added Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, § 13581(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 609; Pub. L. 105–34, title XV, § 1503(e), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1063, related to Medicare and Medicaid Coverage Data Bank, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 104–226, § 1(a), Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3033.

### Amendments

2008—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 110–275 added subsec. (c).

2003—Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(1), inserted “and subsidies for low-income individuals under subchapter XVIII” after “cost-sharing” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(2)(A)(i), inserted “for the transitional assistance under section 1395w–141(f) of this title, or for premium and cost-sharing subsidies under section 1395w–114 of this title” before semicolon.

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(2)(A)(ii), inserted “, program, and subsidies” after “medical assistance”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(2)(B)(i), inserted “, the transitional assistance under section 1395w–141(f) of this title, or premium and cost-sharing subsidies under section 1395w–114 of this title” after “assistance” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(2)(B)(ii), substituted “eligibility for medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program” for “such eligibility”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(3)(A), inserted “, for transitional assistance under section 1395w–141(f) of this title, or for premium and cost-sharing subsidies for low-income individuals under section 1395w–114 of this title” after “1396u–3 of this title”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 108–173, § 103(g)(3)(B), inserted “, program, and subsidies” after “medical assistance”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–275, title I, § 113(c), July 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 2506, provided that: “Except as otherwise provided, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1396u–5 of this title] shall take effect on January 1, 2010.”

### Effective Date

Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 911(c)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–584, provided that: “The amendments made by subsection (a) [enacting this section and amending section 1396d of this title] shall take effect one year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Dec. 21, 2000].”

### GAO Report

Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(6) [title IX, § 911(b)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–584, required the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of the impact of this section on the enrollment of individuals for medicare cost-sharing under the medicaid program and to submit a report on the study no later than 18 months after the initial outreach.