FY 2026 mish - medicare improvements for patients and providers act: priority 1 for ships

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living awarded the Illinois Department on Aging $852,873 through the Medicare Enrollment Assistance Program (CFDA 93.071) on September 1, 2026, under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act Priority 1 for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs).

The program provides enhanced outreach to eligible Medicare beneficiaries regarding preventive, wellness, and limited-income benefits; application assistance for individuals who may be eligible for Low-Income Subsidies (LIS) or Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs); and outreach activities aimed at preventing disease and promoting wellness.

The Illinois Department on Aging, operating as the designated State Unit on Aging, administers this formula grant statewide through its Finance and Administration Division, distributing sub-awards to Area Agencies on Aging, county organizations, nonprofit service providers, and community-based organizations across Illinois. The award runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028, with place of performance in Illinois.

This is a formula grant awarded on a non-competitive basis through a statutory allocation mechanism under an approved state plan. The Illinois Department on Aging maintains accounting records by project number for three years from the final Financial Status Report submission and is subject to single or program-specific audit if federal awards expended exceed $750,000 annually.