GOOD TO KNOW: Are you eligible for assistance with your costs?

A new federal law is increasing access to a special program that helps Medicare beneficiaries with their Medicare costs. Some beneficiaries will be eligible for assistance with both their Medicare Part B premiums and their Medicare copayments and deductibles. Other beneficiaries may be eligible for assistance with their Medicare Part B premiums. This program is called the Medicare Savings Program, and eligibility is based on a Medicare beneficiary’s income and assets.

Beginning in January 2010, for all the Medicare Savings Programs, beneficiaries can have assets up to $6,600 for an individual and $9,910 for a couple. Beneficiaries can also have $1,500 per person for a burial fund in addition to the burial asset limits.

The asset limits included are based on the asset limits for the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy and they may go up for 2010. Medicare beneficiaries with monthly income below $902.50 per month for an individual and $1,214.17 per couple may be eligible for assistance with Medicare premiums and copayments. Beneficiaries with income below $1,218.38 per month for an individual and $1,639.13 per month for couples may be eligible for assistance with their Medicare Part B premiums.

Anyone who is eligible for the Medicare Savings Programs is automatically eligible for assistance with their Medicare Part D prescription drug costs.

Medicare beneficiaries who think they are eligible for these programs can check their eligibility at https://acess.wisconsin. gov/acess/ or by contacting the county Human Services Department.

If you have any additional questions, you may call Pat Hafermann, elderly benefits specialist with the Aging and Disability Resource Center, at (920) 467-4078.

Resources: “The Specialist” October 2009