Medicare Savings Programs

The Medicare Savings Programs provide special limited Medicaid coverage to assist with certain costs for Medicare beneficiaries with low income and few assets. In North Dakota, these programs include the following.

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) program pays for Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance payments. The income level (maximum income) for QMB eligibility is equal to 100 percent of the poverty level applicable to a family of the size involved. For 2009/2010, the monthly income level is $903 for a one-person unit and $1,215 for a two-person unit.

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) program pays only the Medicare Part B premiums for the beneficiaries. Individuals who have SLMB coverage may also have coverage under another Medicaid program, such as the Workers with Disabilities Medicaid buy-in program, if they meet the eligibility criteria for the other Medicaid program. The income level for SLMB is equal to 120 percent of the applicable poverty level. For 2009/2010, the monthly income level is $1,083 for a one-person unit and $1,457 for a two-person unit.

The Qualifying Individuals (QI) program pays only the Medicare Part B premiums for the beneficiaries. However, unlike SLMB coverage, QI coverage is not available to beneficiaries who are in receipt of any other Medicaid benefits for the same period. The income level for QI is equal to 135 percent of the applicable poverty level. For 2009/2010, the monthly income level is $1,219 for a one-person unit and $1,640 for a two-person unit.

Effective January 2010, the asset limits for the Medicare Savings Programs are: $6,600 for a one-person unit ($4,000 in 2009); or $9,910 for a two-person unit ($6,000 in 2009).

Individuals who are covered by one of the Medicare Savings Programs are automatically entitled to extra help (the low-income subsidy) in paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D).

Sources: Medicaid Program Policy Manual 510-05-60 (Medicare Savings Programs) and 510-05-85-40 (Income Levels); Medicare and You 2010, page 79.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com

ND WISE - Come One Come All

Dickinson, ND 6-22-10 Flyer-1

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A FREE WISE WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTING SUPPORTS AND SERVICES FOR TICKET HOLDERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES

JUNE 23, 2010 FROM 3:00 – 4:30 PM (EASTERN)

If you are a person with a mental health disability interested in learning about the Ticket to Work Program or other Social Security Work Incentives, you can attend a FREE Web-based education event on work incentives! This first-ever Mental Health Work Incentive Seminar Event (WISE) Webinar will feature presentations by people who know the ins and outs of all available work incentives, including the Ticket Program. A success story of a Social Security beneficiary who used work incentives successfully will be shared. We will also be joined by a mental health peer counselor who currently works encouraging other people with mental health disabilities in their recovery through work.

Want specific information on how work and work earnings will impact your personal Social Security disability benefits? Please visit www.ssa.gov/work or www.choosework.net to get more information and to find a list of resources available in each state, including the Work Incentives Planning Assistance (WIPA) projects, professionals who can provide more information on your individual situation.

Register for this free WISE Webinar or find WISE events in your area at www.cessi.net/wise.

Approximately 2 days before the event, all those who have registered will receive an e-mail message with instructions on how to log in to the Webinar.

If you have questions, please email wise@cessi.net or call 1-877-743-8237 (v/tty).

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com

Legislative/Policy News

Major Events Last Week

Medicaid

The full Senate began consideration of a tax extenders bill. The bill includes the six month extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's temporary increase in the federal share of Medicaid spending (FMAP). It is unclear if the Senate has the 60 votes needed to pass the bill. Many Senators have expressed concern about the growing deficit and the need to pay for additional spending.

ADA/Olmstead

The U.S. Department of Justice reached settlement agreements under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with Smyth County, Virginia and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to improve access to their facilities, programs and services, including polling places and emergency services. Lancaster County was ordered to pay $1,000 to a veteran who was denied access to the court system. Title II applies to state and local governments. For additional information, see:

http://www.ada.gov/civicac.htm

Technology

The House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and the Internet held a hearing on HR 3101, the Twenty-first Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2009, sponsored by Representative Edward Markey (D-MA.). The bill would enable people with disabilities to fully use broadband services and equipment and provide better access to video programming devices such as remote controls, menus on DVD players, etc. Read testimony and download the video at:

http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2038:hearing-on-hr-3101-the-twenty-first-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-of-2009&catid=134:subcommittee-on-communications-technology-and-the-internet&Itemid=74

Major Events Ahead

Medicaid

The Senate is tentatively scheduled to vote on the tax extenders bill this week, though it is unclear if it will have the 60 votes needed to move forward. As of press time, the Senate bill includes the six month extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's temporary increase in the federal share of Medicaid spending (FMAP). While the majority of Senators have previously voted for the extension, negotiations continue as the Senate tries to find enough votes to avoid a filibuster and pass the bill.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com

White House Launches Celebration Of 20th Anniversary Of Americans With Disabilities Act

Sunday night, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to President Obama, kicked off the President’s and White House’s celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act while delivering remarks to over 2,000 people from around the World at the VSA International Festival at the Kennedy Center. Valerie’s remarks, which you can find below, noted the significance of this historic landmark civil rights legislation, highlighted some of the President’s initiatives thus far related to people with disabilities and previewed that senior administration officials will be commemorating this historic anniversary in the weeks to come with new policies and events.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com

Adoption Assistance - SSI

I wanted to let you know about a Policy Instruction announcement that was recently released by SSA. These policy changes, announced on 6/1/2010, can be found in the SSA POMS SI 00830.415, entitled, “Adoption Assistance.”

This transmittal includes a change in policy regarding how certain types of adoption assistance are counted as unearned income for the purposes of the SSI program.

Background

The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act was signed into law in October 2008. The Act amends section 473 of the Social Security Act and emphasizes the promotion of permanent families for children and youth in foster care. This section was revised to include that effective 10/1/09 adoption assistance payments under Title IV-E for an “applicable child” are treated as unearned income and are subject to the $20 general income exclusion. This section was also revised to include that effective 10/1/09, Kinship Guardianship Assistance payments are not subject to the $20 general income exclusion and are counted dollar for dollar.

To read the Policy Instruction, click HERE.

Any questions may be directed to: rsi5@srt.com