You Can Help Family And Friends Save On Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

Full Black Catholic News Article Index

Pope Denounces Abortion Campaigns in Africa New Advocacy Network for Ending Hunger in Africa

Full Black Catholic News Article Index

Chances are you or someone whom you know could benefit greatly from the new Medicare prescription drug program that goes into effect in January 2006. And, if certain income and resource criteria are met, you or they might even qualify for extra financial help to pay for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program.

Beneficiaries can enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug program from November 15, 2005, to May 15, 2006. But now is the time for Medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes and limited resources to apply for the extra help, which could save them an average of $2,100 per year in prescription drug costs.

What you need to know:

1. To qualify for the extra help, a person or married couple living together must have limited income and resources. For an individual, total annual income must be below $14,355 and resources limited to $10,000. The limits for a married couple living together are higher: $19,245 in combined annual income and $20,000 in resources. These resources can be slightly higher -- an additional $1,500 per person -- if some of the money will be used for burial expenses.

2. Some beneficiaries will automatically qualify for the extra financial help. Anyone who has both Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicare and Supplemental Security Income, or anyone whose state pays his or her Medicare premiums, will automatically qualify and will not have to complete an eligibility application.

3. Also, it is important that all beneficiaries understand that even if they qualify for the extra help, they still need to enroll in a Medicare-approved prescription drug plan to obtain both coverage and the extra help.

People who think that they might qualify for the extra help can complete an online application at www.socialsecurity.gov. Or they can contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for an application in the mail, or request more information.

So, if you know a Medicare beneficiary -- perhaps one of your relatives, a neighbor, a friend or even you -- who could use some extra help with prescription drug costs, find out more about the program and to apply for the extra help that is available.

We believe in Privacy! We will never sell your email address. Period!

to top of page