Medicare News - September 2016
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Starts October 15th
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This is the time of year when most Medicare beneficiaries have the opportunity to switch
their Part D prescription drug plans or their Medicare Advantage plans. CMS Medicare sets
the period of October 15th through December 7th as a time for beneficiaries to make a change.
Jim Verville, Regional Coordinator for the Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) in
Traverse City encourages all Medicare beneficiaries to have their plans reviewed during the
fall enrollment period. He said, "It's not unusual for plans to add or remove drugs on their
formulary, increase the co-pay amounts for medications, and change the monthly premium
costs" . There are about 30 Medicare Part D drug plans to choose from throughout Michigan
and an average of 15 Medicare Advantage plans available in each County.
The annual enrollment period is also an excellent time for folks to convert from a Medicare
Advantage Plan to Medigap coverage, or vice versa. There are up to 10 different Medigap
plans available, each having different levels of coverage. Also, referred to as supplemental
plans, the monthly premiums for Medigaps are usually based on plan benefits, age, location,
and health factors.
Verville said that his office is already receiving a lot of calls from clients who have a Blue Cross
Blue Shield legacy Medigap plan. legacy customers have received notice that their premiums
will increase substantially starting January 1st of next year. Many want to find alternative
plans. He said that MMAP will also help these folks get screened for the new Medigap
subsidy provided by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, and assist them in finding
another Medigap plan that best matches the coverage they desire along with an affordable
premium. "We will then refer them to a company that sells the product they choose as a
means to get the actual pricing detail and receive help with enrollment", said Verville.
MMAP counselors are trained and certified to provide free Medicare and Medicaid assistance
on a local basis. Verville said that he has 50 team members in his 10 county region providing
a local presence in each county. MMAP is part a national program that serves Medicare
beneficiaries.
The best way to start the process is for folks to call the MMAP toll free number at 800-8037174, and request a prescription drug worksheet. The form will provide our counselors with
the information needed so they can review all of the drug plans that are available and
develop a short list of the best alternatives.
"Each fall, we receive more requests than we can handle" said Verville. "Folks need to call us
for a drug worksheet as soon as possible to ensure that they get on the schedule", he said.
By: Jim Verville, Region 10 Coordinator
Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program
Area Agency on Aging, Traverse City, Michigan
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MICHIGAN
Medigap Subsidy
Medigap assistance
for people who qualify
The Michigan Medigap Subsidy is a program that helps pay for Medigap coverage.
If you qualify, you will pay less for your Medigap coverage. The program pays part of
your premium (monthly cost) and you pay the rest.
How much
less will I pay?
It depends on your age and
whether you have a disability.
Do I qualify?
To qualify, you need to:
• Have a household income of
$17,820 or less for one person or
$24,030 or less for two people
If you are:
You pay:
65-75 years old
$40 less
Over 75 years old
$65 less
• Have Medigap coverage from a
participating insurer
Under 65 years old
with a disability
$125 less
• Be a Michigan resident
So, if you are over 75 years old
and your monthly premium is $265,
the program pays $65 and you
pay the remaining $200.
• Qualify for Medicare
Current participating insurers:
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Blue Care Network
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Priority Health
UnitedHealthcare AARP@
Medicare Supplement
Other insurers may join the program.
For an updated list, go to
MichiganMedigapSubsidy.com.
Questions? Ca ll us at 1-866-824-9772 (TTY: 1-866-824-7002),
Monday to Friday, 8 :00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The ca ll is free.
Or go to MichiganMedigapSubsidy.com.
The Mic higan Medigap Subsidy is
a p ro gra m o f the Michigan Health
Endowm ent Fund . To learn more. g o
to Hea lthEndo wm entFund.o rg .
Important dates
Application start date:
October 1, 2016
Application deadline:
December 15, 2016
Subsidy start date:
January 1, 2017
How do I apply?
Starting October 1, 2016, you can apply in one of these three ways:
1. Apply online at MichiganMedigapSubsidy.com.
2. Call us at 1-866-824-9772 (TTY: 1-866-824-7002),
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The call is free.
3. Fill out and send in a paper application. You can download an
application online or call and ask us for one.
What information do I need to apply?
You will need:
• Proof of Medigap coverage, such as a copy of your Medigap card
• Proof of income, such as a copy of your 2015 tax return
• Proof that you live in Michigan, such as a copy of your driver's license
For more proof examples, go to MichiganMedigapSubsidy.com.
What happens after I apply?
We will review your application. We check to make sure you have Medigap
coverage from a participating insurer. We also make sure your income meets the
income rules. This may take several weeks. Then we send you a letter to tell you
if you have been approved or denied for the subsidy.
Questions? Call us at 1-866-824-9772 (TTY: 1-866-824-7002),
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m . to 6:00 p .m . The call is free.
Or go to MichiganMedigapSubsidy.com.
The M1ch1gan Med1gap Subsidy is
a program of the Michigan Health
Endowment Fund. To learn more. go
to HealthEndowmentFund org.
·~@
Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program • MMAP
1-800-803·7174
Medicare Prescription Drug
Personal Information Worksheet
Using your Medicare Health Insurance Card (the red, white and blue card), please furnish the following information:
Medicare claim number
(Usually your social security number plus a letter)
Name (first, last)
(Name as it appears on your Medicare Card)
Date of birth _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (month, day, year)
Effective date of:
Phone Number ___________
Medicare Part A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (month, day, year)
Medicare Part B - - - - - - - - - - - - - ( m o n t h , day, year)
Address ________________________________
Street
City
County _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Zip
State
E-mail ________________
Social Security Number _____________
1. If you currently have health and drug coverage please indicate the type and the name of plan:
O Medicare Drug Plan O Medicare Advantage Plan O Employee Retirement Health Plan O None
What is the name of your current drug plan? ___________________
2. Are you currently enrolled in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Legacy Plan?
D Yes D No D Not sure
3. Do you have "Extra Help" from Social Security to lower the cost of your Medicare prescription drug
premiums and your drug co-pays? O Yes O No
4. If you get "Extra Help" please indicate the percent of help received. 100% D 75% D 50%
D
25% D
5. Depending on your income and assets, you might be eligible for low income assistance. If you are
interested in being screened for these benefits please furnish the following:
Your gross monthly income before deductions (include Social Security, pension, etc.): $._ _ _ __
$_ _ _ __
If you are married, what is the total monthly income for your spouse:
Joint cash assets for both spouses (Including savings, checking, CD's, 401 K, IRA, etc.) $_ _ _ __
6. List your preferred pharmacy or indicate if you want to receive your medications via mail order:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Mail Order
Name of Pharmacy
Counselor:
D Yes D No D Maybe
City, State
Plan Years :
For a enc use
Date Sent:
Date Received:
****Please list your medications on the back of this form****
Revision Date: 07/07/2016
LIST YOUR DRUGS ON THIS PAGE
1.
2.
3.
4.
Using your prescription container, list the full name for each drug
If your prescription is for a generic medication, make sure you list that name also
List the dosage AND how often you take the medication each day along with the monthly usage quantity
Make sure that the information is written legibly
Drug Name
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO :
Dosage
Frequency
per day
Monthly quantity of pills,
vials, packages, inhalers, etc.
Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)
PO Box 5946
Traverse City, Ml 49696
If you prefer to find a drug insurance plan yourself you can use the plan finder located at www.medicare.gov
OR
You can call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) for assistance
Revision Date: 07/07/2016