When you turn 65, you become eligible for Medicare if you: Either receive or qualify for Social Security retirement cash benefits Or, currently reside in the United States and are either: A U.S. citizen Or, a permanent U.S. resident who has lived in the U.S. continuously for five years prior
Archive for August, 2018
COBRA and Medicare coordination
The way that COBRA and Medicare coordinate depends on which form of insurance you have first. While it is possible to get COBRA if you already have Medicare, it is not usually possible to keep COBRA if you have it before you become Medicare-eligible. Specifically: on which form of insurance
Medicare eligibility for those under 65
Turning 65 is one way you become eligible for Medicare. You can also be under 65 and eligible for Medicare because you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. In most cases, you qualify for Medicare due to a disability if you have been receiving SSDI checks for more
The Part D donut hole
The Medicare Part D donut hole or coverage gap is the phase of Part D coverage after the end of your initial coverage period. After falling into the donut hole, the amount you pay for your prescriptions increases. If you’ve noticed that you are suddenly paying more for your drugs,
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs)
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) SPAP basics Questions to ask when considering an SPAP
Questions to ask when considering an SPAP
If you are thinking about joining a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP), here are some questions to ask to find out if you are eligible and how your state’s program works with other drug coverage you may have. SPAP eligibility Does my state have an SPAP? Who is eligible for
SPAP basics
Many states offer State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) to help residents pay for prescription drugs. Each program works differently. States may coordinate their drug assistance programs with Medicare’s prescription drug benefit (Part D). Some SPAPs require that you sign up for Part D in order to qualify for assistance. In
The Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program
The Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program Extra Help basics How to apply for Extra Help Options for those whose Extra Help application is denied, or whose benefit is less than expected How to keep Extra Help from year to year Drug costs under Extra Help Part D when you have
Part D when you have Medicare and Extra Help
If you have Extra Help and do not choose a Part D plan, Medicare will automatically enroll you in a benchmark Part D plan. Benchmark Part D plans have a premium below the specified amount for your state, which means that Extra Help will pay the full cost of your
Drug costs under Extra Help
If you have Extra Help, throughout the year you will pay either the Extra Help copayment or your plan’s copay for your prescription drugs. You always pay the lower cost between the two. Note that plan copays for prescriptions may change during the year, meaning at times the price for