Important messages from the Westport Council of Aging

Friday, July 4, 2008

SHINE NEWS

For Medicare Recipients -- June 2008

Are you having Trouble paying for Prescription Drugs?

You may qualify for extra help from Medicare…

If you have Medicare and have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra help paying for Prescription Drugs.

If you are annual income is below $15,600 for a single person (or $21,000 if you are married and living with your spouse), you may qualify for extra help. Slightly higher income levels may apply if you provide one-half support to other family members living with you, or if you work or reside in Alaska and Hawaii.

And if your resources (including your savings and stocks, but not counting your home or car) are under $11,900 (for a single person) or under $23,970 (for a married couple), you may qualify for extra help paying for your Medicare prescription drug costs.

The amount of extra help you get depends on your income and resources.

You still need to join a Medicare prescription drug plan for Medicare to pay for your drug costs.

If you qualify for extra help, you will have continuous drug coverage and will pay only a small amount for your prescriptions.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

ATTENTION MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

With every New Year come more health insurance choices for Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare beneficiaries are faced with overwhelming information and important decisions. Medicare beneficiaries may be receiving letters or postcards asking them to respond if they would like further information on money-saving programs.

Medicare beneficiaries may then be contacted by insurance agents selling various insurances--Medicare beneficiaries should be aware. If Medicare beneficiaries choose to meet with these agents, it is suggested they should always have a friend or family member with them. A Medicare beneficiary should ask for written information to review and never sign anything during their first meeting. Medicare beneficiaries should write down any questions they need answered before committing themselves to insurance policies.

It is important you carefully review plans before making a change in your health care coverage. Your review should look at:

• The total cost of the plan including monthly premiums, deductibles, and co-payments;
• Access to your doctors and health care providers;
• Out-of-network coverage and costs;
• Coverage for your prescriptions under the plan’s formulary;
• Whether you can change your plan once you enroll (you may be locked in until next open enrollment, November 15-December 31, 2008).

If you have concerns or questions about changing your coverage or are feeling pressured to make a change, call the SHINE Program at 1-800-243-4636, option 2, or your local SHINE counselor, for assistance; Westport residents can call the Council on Aging at 508-636-1026.

• SHINE counselors are available in most towns and senior centers.
• SHINE counselors have access to up-to-date Medicare information.
• SHINE counselors can assist Medicare beneficiaries with plan comparisons.

Your health care is too important to make a change without carefully considering all options available.

Important messages from the Westport Council of Aging