Solutions for Seniors with Limited Income and Resources

There is help available for anyone who has limited income or savings. In fact nearly one in three people on Medicare qualify for some extra help. Many of these solultions require additional information, for which you may need to contact either the Social Security office or your local State Medical Assistance office.

• Extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage

Also called a “low-income subsidy,” extra help is offered to anyone with limited financial resources. If you qualify, the program will help pay your monthly premiums and the amount you would normally pay for each prescription (copayments). You may be able to get extra help to pay for your prescription drug premiums and costs.

To see if you qualify for getting extra help, call:

• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
• TTY/TDD users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day/7 days a week;
• The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY/TDD users should call, 1-800-325-0778;
• or Your State Medicaid Office

• Medicaid Assistance
  
  Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income people age 65 or older and to some younger people with disabilities. It often covers expenses not paid by Medicare, such as hearing aids, eyeglasses and extended nursing home care. Medicaid is run by the state and federal governments together. The states decide who is eligible.


• Medicare Savings Programs
  
  States offer programs for people with limited resources or incomes to help pay the expenses of Medicare. The programs might, for example, pay your Medicare premiums, deductibles and copayments.
  
  To be eligible, you must have less than $4,000 in savings ($6,000 for a couple). You must also earn less than $1,097 per month ($1,464 for a couple). These are 2005 figures; 2006 figures will change. Some states offer more generous coverage.


• Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI)
  
  This program helps people with limited income pay for basic needs such as housing and food. SSI is different from Social Security benefits. To qualify, you must be disabled or over 65 years old and have limited financial resources. You also need to be a full-time U.S. resident. Check if you are eligible using the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) through the Social Security office.


• The PACE Program
  
  PACE stands for Programs for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly. When available, it offers medical, social and long-term care for frail people. It can be an alternative to nursing home care. Only some states offer PACE and qualifications vary from state to state.
  
  
• Programs for people who live in the U.S. Territories
  
  If you’re a resident of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa, you may be eligible for medical assistance. There are programs available for those with limited income or resources. Rules vary with each area.
  
  
• Medicare Approved Drug Discount Cards
  
  These cards were part of a temporary program to help people pay their prescription drug costs.  The program has now ended and been replaced with Medicare Prescription Coverage. See our section on Medicare Part D & Prescription Drug Coverage for information on these and other coverage changes.

If you received Medicare drug discount cards, you may continue to use them until May 15, 2006 or until you sign up for the Medicare drug plan. If you qualified for the discount cards, you may qualify for help paying for your Medicare drug plan as well.

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