Senior Citizen Programs for Low- to No-Cost Healthcare and Medications
By Annia Chrostowska, SBHIS.net, Medicare Medi-Cal Agent for Seniors
With today’s cost of living, our seniors need more help than ever to make ends meet. Our tough economy and shrinking government programs have proven difficult in the face of rising elderly medical costs that have been increasing year after year.
The good news is that several state and federal government programs can still significantly help seniors when it comes to paying for medical costs including covering or reducing the fee for filling medication prescriptions.
Here’s what you need to know.
Extra Help Program (Low-Income Subsidy)
Anyone with Medicare can apply for the federal Extra Help Program if accepted into the Medicare Part D prescription drug program. This supplemental program provides additional income to help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles, prescription co-payments, and other costs related to senior healthcare.
The Extra Help Program helps cover an additional amount up to $4,000 per year. To qualify, you must be a senior living in the 50 states or the District of Columbia, make $17,235 or less for an individual or $23,265 for a married couple living together. Your resources must also take into consideration bank accounts, stocks and bonds. For more information on the Extra Help Program, go to
https://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/
Medicare Savings Program
The government provides four unique opportunities for additional help when it comes to paying for senior medical costs. The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program (QMB) helps pay for Part A premiums, Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. The individual monthly income limit for this program is $15,511 per year while the married qualification is $20,398 annually.
Alternatively, individuals can opt for the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program which covers Part B premiums only.
The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program is another financial benefit for seniors granted on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to individuals who have participated in the program from the following year.
Finally, the Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if you’re a working disabled person under 65, you lost your premium-free Part A when you went back to work, you aren’t getting medical assistance from your state and you meet the income and resource limits required by your state. For more information on all four benefits of the Medicare Savings Program,
.
ElderCare Locator
Senior citizens who need help finding low- to no-cost healthcare programs including those that offer help with filling prescriptions can contact the Administration on Aging’s (AOA) Eldercare Locator. As a free service, the Eldercare Locator can help seniors find the low cost healthcare they need without hassle. Many of the programs are based on income, so seniors only pay what they can afford. For more information on the Eldercare Locator,
Finding the right Medicare or Medi-Cal program
The truth is that seniors across California need low cost medical care. When it comes to finding the right program for you or the loved one in your life, the services at South Bay Health Insurance Services (SBHIS) may be the ideal fit. At SBHIS, our goal is to find the right medical coverage – even federal or state coverage – for you or the seniors in your life. Log onto
to find out how we can help you select the right Medicare or Medi-Cal plan for you. Or, feel free to call us direct at 1-888-988-8072 for a free consultation.