Official Medicare website: www.medicare.gov

Social Security online: www.socialsecurity.gov

Official Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Site www.cms.hhs.gov

RxAssist.org: Look up your medications (brand or generic) for information as to whether you can get them free directly from the pharmaceutical manufacturer www.rxassist.org

Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas (SHICK)

The SHICK program is a volunteer-based program currently administered by the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA). Senior citizens are provided counseling by trained volunteers about Medicare benefits and options concerning supplemental health insurance that is available. SHICK volunteers also assist older adults with problems they encounter with insurance and Medicare when appropriate.

Volunteers will be recruited based on good references, experience in public service, and willingness to serve. Before performing volunteer service for SHICK, volunteers must attend a 2 1/2 day training conducted by the Kansas Insurance Department. To be referred to a SHICK volunteer or to inquire about becoming a volunteer contact the Special Projects Coordinator at 785-242-7200 or 1-800-633-5621.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services National Medicare Multi-Media & Education Campaign  

New Law Makes It Easier Than Ever to Save on Prescription Costs    

Making ends meet shouldn’t mean going without your medications. If you have limited income and resources, Medicare’s “Extra Help” program sets it up so you pay no more than $2.50 for each generic drug and $6.30 for each brand name drug. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates that “Extra Help” can save participating seniors as much as $3,900 per year.  Now it’s even easier to qualify for “Extra Help” from Medicare. A new law changed how your income and assets are counted in 2010: . 

• Life insurance policies don’t count as resources

• Help you get from relatives, friends and others  to pay for household expenses—like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes—do not count as income 

Many People Qualify and Don’t Even Know It

These changes mean that more people than ever now will qualify for “Extra Help.” Even if you were turned down for “Extra Help” before, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments and deductibles.   To qualify, you must make less than $16,245 a year (or $21,855 for married couples).  Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to $12,510 (or $25,010 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks and bonds, but not your house or car. 

There’s No Cost or Obligation to Apply

It’s easy and free to apply for “Extra Help.” You or a family member, trusted counselor or caregiver can apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. All the information you give is confidential.   To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.   This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

http://www.medicare.gov/

MEDICARE D CHANGES FOR 2010

Medicare D enrollment for 2010 will begin November 15, 2009 and last until December 31, 2009.  Plan changes then become effective January 1, 2010.If your 2009 plan is still available for 2010 your plan will send you information in October or November letting you know that you can stay in the plan and what changes have been made to the premiums, co-pays, deductibles and drug formularies.  If you receive Extra Help the notice will also explain what your co-pays will be with the assistance.  The plan will tell you what to do if you want to stay in the plan and what to do if you don’t.Available plans for 2010 won’t be available until late October.  Below is what we know will happen:

Part D Deductible for 2010---------$310

Gap will begin when cost of medication reaches-------$2830

Gap ends at-----------$4550 and plan then picks up 95% of cost                                                

Part D Medicare and Medicaid Eligible Benefits

Co-Payments for those in long term care facility---------$0.00

Maximum co-pay for full Medicaid benefit living at home--------$1.10 generic, $3.30 brand name

Maximum co-pay for partial Medicaid benefit living at home-------$2.50 generic, $6.30 brand name

Part D Extra Help (low income subsidy) Co-Payments- full subsidy

Deductible---------------$0

Part D Extra Help (low income subsidy) Co-Payments- partial subsidy

Deductible-----------$63

Maximum co-payments up to Gap----------15% of cost of med

Maximum co-payment after Gap --- ---$2.50 generic, $6.30 brand name