Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 6 July 2006 — Page 7

The Muncie Times • July 6, 2006 • Page 7

Ask S H I I P

What If I can’t afford Medicare or co-payment’s

Indiana helps eligible, low-income beneficiaries pay for Medicare with the Medicaid program. (Medicaid is a health care program that helps pay for medical services for people who meet specific requirements.) You may be eligible depending on your income and the value of things you own. Do you have Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance? (Look at your Medicare card.) Is your monthly

income at or below $1,068 (single person) or $1,426 (married couple)? Are your financial assets, such as bank accounts, below $4,000 (single person) or $6,000 (married couple)? If you answered YES to all three questions, the State may help pay for your Medicare costs. This help, provided through Indiana's Medicaid program, is called the "Medicare Savings Program". There are three levels

of help available based on your income and assets. QMB - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary QMB pays for Medicare premiums, copayments and deductibles. The average Medicare beneficiary pays over $1,000 out of pocket each year for these expenses. SLMB or Qll Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary SLMB or Qll pays your Medicare Part B premium. This saves you over $799 a year.

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Monthly Income Limits Individuals u p 1 e s QMB not more than $796 $1,061 SLMB or Q11 not more than 1,068 $1,426 If you have Medicare Part B, your premium of $78.20 is taken out of your Social Security check each month. Add this amount to your Social Security check to see if your current income is within these limits. If you have employment income, over half of it, before taxes, doesn't count. Asset Limits Individuals Couples All Levels $4,000 $6,000 Assets are things you own, such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, cash value of life insurance, stocks and bonds. Some things you own don't count toward your asset limit, such as your home and furnishings, your car, prepaid funeral trusts and income-producing real estate. These limits are guidelines. The only way to know for sure if you are eligible is to apply. Medicaid Application Information You may visit or call

your Local Office of Family and Children to apply for Medicare Buy-In. You will need to complete an application form and participate in an interview. The interview can take place in person or over the telephone. Within 45 days, you will receive a notice in the mail that tells you whether your application was approved. For more information about enrollment centers or Medicaid call: Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 1-800-986-3505 SHIIP at 1-800-452-4800 If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the denial. You may contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Senior Law Project for assistance with appeals.

SHIIP Indiana Department of Insurance 311 West Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204-27 87 Phone: 317.233.3475 Fax: 317.232.5251 [email protected]