Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents - Summer 2005
TOPIC: Changes in Medicare drug card just keep coming
Find out now if you qualify for extra help
 
by kathy hayes

The temporary Medicare drug discount card that was available in 2004 and 2005 will expire Dec. 31. This fall, Medicare beneficiaries will need to carefully consider the new Medicare prescription drug plans that will go into effect Jan 1.

Individuals who enroll in one of the 2006 prescription drug plans will pay a monthly premium of about $37, co-pays on prescriptions and a $250 annual deductible.

The good news for people who have low incomes and limited assets is that extra help is available. (See box at left for approximate income qualifiers)

To find out if you’re eligible for extra help, you must complete an Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.

“We really want to get the word out to those people who may qualify for extra help, so they can determine if they’re eligible before open enrollment for the drug plans begins in November,” says Deborah DeLay, coordinator of the Health District’s Prescription Assistance program. “Applications for extra help are available now.”

DeLay encourages prescription assistance program participants to contact the office at 472-0444 to set up a time to complete an application. People participating in this program are likely to qualify for an average of $2,100 in extra help, she says.

She also encourages adult children of Medicare recipients to help their parents who have limited incomes fill out the application for extra help.

From now through August, the Social Security Administration will be mailing the application to many low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
need help?

Step 1: Find out this summer or fall if you qualify for extra help (see below).
• If you receive an Application for Help with Medicare
  Prescription Drug Plan Costs, fill it out and return the
  original to the Social Security Administration.
• Or fill out an application at the Health District’s
  Prescription Assistance office. Call now to schedule an
  appointment: 472-0444.
• If you’re unsure if you may qualify, fill out an application
  and send it in.

Step 2: Enroll in a new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
• This fall, determine the new prescription drug plan that
  best fits you.
• Between Nov. 15, 2005, and May 15, 2006, enroll in the
  plan of your choice.
• The Health District can help you select a plan and
  enroll.

You could be eligible for extra help if you have:
• An income of less than $14,355 for an individual or
  $19,245 for a married couple living together*; and
• Assets (cash, savings and investments but not car or
  home) of less than $10,000 for an individual or $20,000
  for a married couple living together.*

*Guidelines are approximate and other factors may still affect your eligibility. If in doubt, send in an application.

If you qualify for extra help:
• Your prescriptions may cost as little as $2 each,
  starting in 2006.
• You will get help with paying monthly premiums and the
  annual deductible.

Where to get help
• Health District Prescription Assistance program,
  472-0444
• Aspen Club at PVHS, 495-8560
• Any Social Security office 1-800-MEDICARE
  www.socialsecurity.gov
• Online qualifier tool to see if you’re eligible to receive
  extra help: www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp
  If in doubt after using the qualifier tool, send in an
  application.

Even if you don’t receive an application in the mail, you may be eligible for extra help, DeLay says. She encourages all beneficiaries on limited incomes to find out if they’re eligible.

People can complete the applications themselves or receive help from various community resources, including the Health District and PVHS’s Aspen Club.

An online qualifier tool, which lets people quickly determine if they may be eligible for extra help, is available at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

Applying for extra help does not enroll the applicant in a new prescription drug plan. Open enrollment for the new plans runs Nov. 15 to May 15, 2006. At that time, individuals will need to evaluate the various plans and choose the one that best meets their needs. Once you choose a plan, you must keep it for one year.

“The program may seem complicated,” says DeLay, “but it can be simplified if you take it one step at a time. We’re here to help.”