|
Senior News May, 2005 Vol. 24. No. 5
Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.
|
|
|
Humboldt Senior Resource Center Back issues Table of Contents
Plus in this issue catch more news, opinions, features, book reviews, and event calendars.
Pick up a copy today! Better yet, subscribe and never miss an issue! Brought to you by 
|
Ask HICAP Medicare Rx Low Income Subsidy by Anne Antoville Medicare Part D Beginning January 2006 Medicare will offer a new drug benefit called Medicare part D. Medicare Part D will cover prescription drugs. Private companies will contract with Medicare to provide the drug plans. If you sign up for a Medicare drug plan, you will have to pay a premium which will be deducted from your Social Security check. The drug plans will have a deductible that you must meet before the plans cover drug costs. The drug plans will also have co-pays you must pay when you buy drugs using your Medicare Drug plan. Low Income Subsidy You may be able to get the help with Medicare drug plan premiums, deductibles and co-pays. This help is called the Medicare Part D low-income subsidy. If you have Medi-Cal you should get the low-income subsidy automatically. You should not have to sign up for the subsidy. If you do not have Medi-Cal there are two tiers to the low income subsidy. Tier One is for those with income below $12,920 a year for singles and $17,321 a year for married couples. Your assets must be less than $6,000 for singles and $9,000 for couples. You get this: no premium, no deductible, and co-pay of $2 for generic drugs and $5 for brand name drugs. Tier Two is for those with income below $14,355 a year for singles and $19,245 a year for married couples. Your assets must be below $10,000 for singles and $ 20,000 for couples. You get this: sliding scale monthly premiums, $50 per year deductible and 15 percent co-pay on drugs. Sign up for the subsidy If you have Medi-Cal you do not need to enroll in this subsidy. Beginning late May through August 2005, Social Security is sending letters and low income subsidy applications to two million California beneficiaries with low incomes. You will be able to enroll in the subsidy by July, even if you have not received a letter in the mail. If you have questions about Medicare Part D or the low income subsidy you can contact the HICAP Office: Humboldt 443-9747 and Del Norte 464-7876. Anne Antoville is manager of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. |
Senior News