Making
ends meet should not mean going without your medications. If you have
limited income and resources, Medicare’s “Extra Help” program sets it up
so this year you might pay no more
than $2.60 for each generic drug and $6.50 for each brand name drug.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more
than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for the subsidy, but
are not currently enrolled to take advantage of
these savings. A recent law changed how your income and assets are
counted:
• Life insurance policies do not count as resources
• Any 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—does
not count as income
Many People Qualify and Don’t Know It
The changes that took place in 2010 allowed more people than ever to qualify for “Extra Help.” Even if you were previously turned down for “Extra Help” due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you will get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, you must make less than $17,235 a year (or $23,265 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 $13,300 (or $26,580 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
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
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.
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