 |
|
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
|
:: |
|
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
:: |
|
|
:: |
|
|
:: |
|
|
|
Extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage
What is this program?
Medicare provides "extra help" to pay prescription drug costs for people who meet specific income and resources limits. Resources include your savings and stocks, but not your home or car. If you qualify, you will get help paying for your Medicare drug plan's monthly Premium , yearly Deductible , and prescription Copayments. In most cases, if you get extra help, you won't pay a premium. Check with your plan. If you qualify for extra help, you won't have a coverage gap (see What is a coverage gap?).
:: 2007 Yearly Income and Resource Limits to Qualify for Extra Help
:: How do I qualify for this program?
:: What happens if I automatically qualify for extra help?
:: What If you didn't automatically qualify, but think you might qualify for extra help
2007 Yearly Income and Resource Limits to Qualify for Extra Help
(Amounts will change in early 2008.)
|
|
|
| |
Income |
Resources |
| Single |
Less than $15,315 |
Less than $11,710 |
Married
(living with spouse) |
Less than $20,535 |
Less than $23,410 |
|
|
|
If you live in Alaska or Hawaii, or pay more than half of the living expenses of dependent family members, income limits are higher. Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa have their own rules for providing extra help to their residents. See "Programs for People who live in the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa " for more information.
|
|
|
:: Top
|
How do I qualify for this program?
You automatically qualify for extra help if you have Medicare and
|
|
|
:: Top
|
What happens if I automatically qualify for extra help?
Medicare mails letters to people who automatically qualify for extra help and don't need to apply for it. If you get one of these letters, keep it for your records. You still need to join a Medicare drug plan to get Medicare prescription drug coverage. If you don't join a Medicare drug plan, Medicare will enroll you in one to make sure you don't miss a day of coverage. Check to see if the plan Medicare enrolled you in covers the drugs you use and if you can go to the pharmacies you prefer. If not, you can change plans.
If Medicare enrolls you in a plan, Medicare will send you a letter letting you know when your coverage begins. If you don't want to join a Medicare drug plan (for example, because you want to keep your employer or union coverage instead), you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the plan listed in your letter and tell them you don't want to be in the Part D plan. You must be in a Medicare drug plan to get this extra help.
|
|
|
:: Top
|
What If you didn't automatically qualify, but think you might qualify for extra help
Here's what to do:
- Apply for extra help. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, visit www.socialsecurity.gov on the web, or apply at your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office (see 1-800-MEDICARE Helpline). TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. After you apply, you will get a letter in the mail letting you know if you qualify and what to do next. Even if you don't qualify, you should consider joining a drug plan.
- Join a Medicare drug plan. If you apply and qualify for extra help, you can either join a plan on your own or let Medicare enroll you in a plan. Medicare will send you a letter letting you know what plan it will enroll you in and when your coverage begins. If Medicare enrolls you in a drug plan, you can switch plans at least once through the end of the calendar year. You can also switch plans one time between November 15 and December 31 in following years. Your coverage would begin January 1 of the following year.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see Other Important Medicare Contacts
for their telephone number) to get answers to your questions about extra help paying for your prescription drug costs. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
|
|
|
:: Top
|
(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook 2007. This content may have been added upon by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)
|
|
|
|
Last updated on: 07/18/2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
