Important Changes to the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy

Individuals who enroll in the Medicare prescription drug program (Medicare Part D) may get assistance in paying the premiums for this coverage by applying for the Part D low-income subsidy. SSA also refers to this program as “Extra Help”.

Beginning January 1, 2010, changes in the law make it easier for some people to qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act:

· SSA will no longer count as a resource any life insurance policy; and

SSA will no longer count as income the help beneficiaries receive regularly from someone else to pay their household expenses—food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes.

In addition, beginning January 1, 2010, when beneficiaries apply for Extra Help, they also can start the application process for the Medicare Savings Programs. These are the state programs that provide help with Medicare Part B premiums and other Medicare costs – what we often refer to as QMB or SLMB. Social Security will now notify the State when beneficiaries apply for Extra Help and the State will contact beneficiaries to help them apply for a Medicare Savings Program.

For a complete explanation of the changes to Medicare Part D low-income subsidy, go to
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10040.html

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

Changes to Medicare Part D Extra Help May Expand Eligibility

The Social Security Administration is asking partners to help spread the word about changes in the law beginning January 1, 2010, that could make more people eligible for “extra help” in paying for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses under Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. The two most significant changes are that life insurance policies will no longer count as a resource, and income assistance received from someone else for household expenses (food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes) will no longer count. A webinar on the changes will be held September 15, 2009, at 2 pm Eastern. RSVP for the webinar at http://www.ssa.gov/survey/mipparsvpsurvey.htm

For more information about Social Security work incentives, refer to the 2009 Red Book found at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook/. The Red Book is a general reference tool and self-help guide designed to provide a working knowledge of these provisions. If you have any questions, please call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local SSA office. The Social Security Administration has a very comprehensive and user-friendly web site with extensive information, publications, and forms available. In addition to the main website, specific sections are dedicated to disability issues.

You may find earlier versions of work incentive emails on the www.nebraskatickettowork.org website.

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

People With Disabilities Lose Advocate - Ted Kennedy

During his tenure in the Senate (46 years), Sen. Ted Kennedy was crucial in establishing and supporting key legislation that benefit people with disabilities. Here are a few:

• In 1978, Kennedy co-sponsored Civil Rights Commission Act Amendments, which expanded the jurisdiction of the Civil Rights Commission to protect people from discrimination on the basis of disability.

• Kennedy introduced the Americans With Disabilities Act in 1990. The bill was designed to prohibit employers from discriminating in job hiring and in the workplace against people who had a disability.

• His vote helped break a Republican filibuster against a bill that blocked cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.

• Supported a bill that required pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prescription drug prices covered under Medicare Part D.

• Voted for expanding the enrollment period for Medicare.

• Kennedy called for extending Medicare coverage to all Americans, medical coverage for the uninsured and modernizing health care systems by using new technologies to cut costs.
  

• Sponsored the Family Opportunity Act of 2006, allowing states to expand Medicaid coverage to children with special needs.

• Sponsored the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996.

• In 1997, he rallied for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under which uninsured children from low-income families could get insurance.

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

Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

Ever wish that there was some help out there for your medicare premiums and/or prescription drug coverage? There is!

Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for the extra help if they have limited income and resources. The extra help can increase their cost savings by paying for part of the monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments under the new prescription drug program. The extra help is estimated to be worth an average of $3,900 per year.

How to get it:

* Online application for help with Medicare prescription drug costs.

* "Do I qualify?" Online tool.

* Application pdf

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

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment November 15, 2008, to December 31, 2008

Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan will probably change what it costs and what it covers for calendar year 2009. Now is the time for beneficiaries to review any changes being made by their current plan and to compare it to others to make sure the current plan still meets their needs. People entitled to Medicare who do not yet have prescription drug coverage can also enroll in a drug plan during open enrollment.

For residents of North Dakota, 48 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) are available for 2009. You can find information to help you compare these plans on Medicare’s website at www.medicare.gov.

If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra help to pay for the monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to the PDP. If you have Medicare and Medicaid, you automatically qualify for the extra help. Otherwise, you can request help by completing the application found online at https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html, or you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone.


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