You May Qualify for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit

by Kathleen Beyer

If you are a Medicare beneficiary with limited income and resources, you may be able to get extra help paying for prescription drugs. Beginning January 1, 2006, a new program will provide prescription drug coverage under Medicare. If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help paying for your monthly premiums, deductibles and co-payments under this prescription drug program.

If your annual income is below $14,355 for an individual ($19,245 for a married couple living together), you may not have to pay monthly premiums or deductibles, and you could pay as little as $2 for your co-payments.

Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help with your monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where your income may be higher include if you or your spouse:

• Support other family members who live with you
• Have earnings from work
• Live in Alaska or Hawaii

To qualify, your resources must be limited to $10,000 for an individual ($20,000 for a married couple living together). These resource limits can be slightly higher (an additional $1,500 per person) if you will use some of your money for burial expenses. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your house and car as resources.

Applications can be made at workshops held by Social Security throughout the community, through the toll-free number (1-800-772-1213), at any local office, or beginning this summer over the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov.