You Could Get Extra Help Paying for Medicare Part D Drug Costs
August 25, 2017
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Do you have Medicare and find it hard to pay for the medications you need? You or someone you care for may be among the many Medicare Part D participants on fixed incomes who face difficult decisions about money and spending. That’s why it’s important to know: Extra Help is available to those who qualify.
- Extra Help Is a Federal Program That Helps Participants Pay for Medicare Drug Costs
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Many people over 65 are surprised to hear they may be eligible for a low-income subsidy program that provides financial assistance. Also known as the Extra Help Medicare Part D program. It can help pay prescription drug monthly payments, deductibles and copayments.
The Social Security Administration and Medicare work together to offer the Extra Help program and provide Medicare Part D assistance by controlling drug program out-of-pocket expenses. And the savings can really make a difference. According to Social Security, participants who qualify for the federal Extra Help program could save up to $4,000 a year in prescription drug costs.
- Here’s How You Can Save on Medicare Part D With Extra Help
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The Extra Help program makes it possible for participants to pay:
- $0 or a very low amount on monthly premiums for Medicare Part D.
- $0 or a very low amount on a yearly deductible for prescription medications.
- No more than $3.30 generic/$8.25 brand-name copayments or 5% coinsurance for each covered prescription in 2017.
Also, participants who are eligible for Extra Help can enroll in Medicare Part D at any time without facing late enrollment penalties.
- It’s Easy to Find Out If You’re Eligible for Extra Help
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To qualify for Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare and currently have or sign up for a Part D plan, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Most qualified participants’ annual income and financial resources (including savings accounts, IRA accounts, stocks, and bonds) are limited to levels specified by Social Security. For 2017, these limits are:
- $18,090 in yearly income and up to $13,820 in assets for an individual.
- $24,360 in yearly income and up to $27,600 in assets for a married person living with a spouse.
There are some exceptions, however, and some people with higher incomes still might qualify — so it’s smart to check with Social Security.
Remember, even if you don’t qualify for Extra Help, you can still enroll in an approved Medicare prescription drug plan for coverage to help you manage Medicare costs.
Y0114_17_32256_I 08/14/2017
68128MUSENMUBAnthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of: In Colorado: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc. In Connecticut: Anthem Health Plans, Inc. In Indiana: Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. In Kentucky: Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, Inc. In Maine: Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc. In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area): RightCHOICE® Managed Care, Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. In Nevada: Rocky Mountain Hospital and Medical Service, Inc. HMO products underwritten by HMO Colorado, Inc., dba HMO Nevada. In New Hampshire: Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. HMO plans are administered by Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc. and underwritten by Matthew Thornton Health Plan, Inc. In Ohio: Community Insurance Company. In Virginia: Anthem Health Plans of Virginia, Inc. trades as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Virginia, and its service area is all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and its affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc. In Wisconsin: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wisconsin (BCBSWi), underwrites or administers PPO and indemnity policies and underwrites the out of network benefits in POS policies offered by Compcare Health Services Insurance Corporation (Compcare) or Wisconsin Collaborative Insurance Corporation (WCIC). Compcare underwrites or administers HMO or POS policies; WCIC underwrites or administers Well Priority HMO or POS policies. Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are the registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.
Attention: If you speak any language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call our Customer Service number, (TTY: 711). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame a nuestro número de Servicio de Atención al Cliente (TTY: 711). 注意:如果您使用非英語的其他語言,您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電聯絡客戶服務部(聽語障用戶請致電:711)。