For reprint by the GWAAR Medicare Outreach Team
If you have Medicare and you’re facing challenges with paying for health care, you may be eligible for programs that can help you save money on medical and drug costs. People with limited income and resource may qualify for Medicaid – a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs.
Even if you don’t qualify for Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs may be able to help you pay your Medicare premiums and other costs. If your income is $1,449 or less for an individual, or $1,959 for a couple, and your resources are under $7,970 for an individual or $11,960 for a couple, you may be eligible for one of these programs.
If you qualify for Medicaid or one of the Medicare Savings Programs, you’ll automatically get Extra Help paying for your Part D prescription drugs. Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug costs, like premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.
If you don’t automatically qualify for Extra Help, you may still be eligible if your income is $1,610 or less for an individual, or $2,177 for a couple, and your resources are under $14,790 for an individual and $29,520 for a couple. You can apply online for Extra Help with Social Security Administration at
www.ssa.gov or by calling:
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Another program that can help with your prescription drug costs is SeniorCare, Wisconsin’s prescription drug assistance program. This program is available to Wisconsin residents who are 65 years of age or older and are a U.S. citizen or have qualifying immigrant status. Your annual income determines your level of coverage in this program. For more information or to print a paper application, go to:
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/seniorcare or call: 1-800-657-2038.
To find out if you could be eligible for savings through one of these programs or any other benefits, contact an ADRC Benefit Specialist at (920) 448-4300.
Annual Notice of Change
Medicare Annual Notice of Change documents should be in your mailbox by 9/30/21. These notices are provided to members, each year, from the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans. The Annual Notice of Change will outline the changes, made to the plan, for the upcoming year. Make sure to review these changes to confirm that the coverage will continue to meet your needs for the upcoming year. If you do not get this document, please contact your plan to resend the information. 2022 advantage and drug plan information will be released in the middle of October. If you would like help reviewing 2022 Medicare options, call an ADRC Benefit Specialist at
(920) 448-4300.
