The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently launched initiatives in the states to help save money and better coordinate care for the 9 million Americans enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid (called dual eligibles).

The Alignment Initiative, which includes better access to Medicare data and improved coordination of care between Medicare and Medicaid, will be led by the new Federal Coordinated Health Care Office (the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office). It was created by the Affordable Care Act to help make the two programs work together more effectively.

““Medicare and Medicaid spends $300 billion each year to care for people enrolled in both programs,” said Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Donald M. Berwick. "Better coordinated care for this vulnerable population could yield savings and improve care and coverage in Medicaid.”