Over Two Million Low-Income Seniors May Be Missing Big Savings on Drugs
Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy is easy to check for eligibility, says CMS
Aug. 9, 2011 - Some senior citizens and others in Medicare could qualify for assistance with their prescription drug costs, and be
eligible this year to pay no more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for each brand name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services estimates more than 2 million people may be eligible for the subsidy, but are not currently enrolled.
The steps and requirements beneficiaries can take to check if they qualify for the Medicare Low-Income Subsidy Program
(also known as LIS or “Extra Help”) are simple and may be done by phone or online, says CMS.
Changes resulting from the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 made it easier for
Medicare beneficiaries to qualify for “Extra Help” by changing the way income and assets are counted.
As of last year, the Social Security Administration, which determines eligibility for the program, does not count life
insurance policies as a resource for eligibility purposes. In addition, help received from family and friends to pay for household expenses
like food, mortgage, rent and utilities does not count as income.
“The eligibility requirements are more flexible than they were a couple of years ago, ‘Extra Help’ can be lifesaving for
someone who needs prescription drugs and needs help with the cost,” said Dr. Don Berwick, CMS Administrator.
“If you were turned down for ‘Extra Help’ in the past due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you
qualify, you will receive help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments and deductibles.”
To qualify, Medicare beneficiaries’ incomes must be less than $16,335 a year (or $22,065 for married couples) and have
resources limited to $12,640 (or $25,260 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but do not include a
beneficiary’s house, car, or life insurance policy.
There is no cost to apply for “Extra Help.” Medicare beneficiaries, family members, trusted counselors or caregivers can
apply online in English and Spanish at
www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Beneficiaries may also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778)
and ask for the Application for Medicare’s Part D Extra Help.
Medicare beneficiaries can also receive assistance in their local communities from their State Health Insurance
Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and many tribal organizations.
To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit
www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Aug. 9, 2011 - Some senior citizens and others in Medicare could qualify for assistance with their prescription drug costs, and be
eligible this year to pay no more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for each brand name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services estimates more than 2 million people may be eligible for the subsidy, but are not currently enrolled.
‘Obama Care’ has provided 17 million seniors with free preventive services; 900,000 received 50% discount on
prescription drugs
