| |  | In 2003, President Bush and Congress passed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act, which was developed in order to improve Medicare. This law will lower prescription drug costs for all people with Medicare. Also, people with limited income and resources are able to apply for extra help with drug costs. This program is for everyone; it affects all people with Medicare, regardless of their income. The Baltimore County Department of Aging Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program is offering informational sessions throughout Baltimore County to assist older adults and caregivers select a drug plan from October through December 2009. Please contact Senior Information and Assistance at 410-887-2594 for further information. 1. All Medicare Beneficiaries need to evaluate whether their current coverage is “creditable” meaning equal to or better than the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. If you delay enrolling in the Medicare Prescription Drug Program when you are first eligible, and your current prescription coverage is not “creditable”, you will pay a one percent higher premium per month for every month you did not join a plan. 2. When selecting a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan it is important to make an educated decision when selecting a plan, changing your plan, or evaluating whether to keep your current plan or change to a new plan in 2009. You should research and compare the various drug plans with your medications list to select the best coverage for you based on cost, coverage, and/or access. The best way to do this is go to www.medicare.gov and use the comparison tool. 3. The Medicare Prescription Drug Program has a monthly premium that varies with each plan, associated with its coverage. Drug plans may also have deductibles and they do have copayments toward the cost of prescriptions. When you join the Medicare Prescription Drug Program and use the plan’s network pharmacies, you’ll pay less. 4. Each drug plan has a different list of preferred drugs it will cover called a “formulary list.” You will need to check which drug plan covers all or most of your medications at the best cost. Exceptions may be granted by your drug plan. 5. There is extra help (federal and state) for those who are low-income eligible: premiums can be reduced or eliminated, and other payments can be decreased. It is important to apply in a timely manner.
Savings on Medicare Prescription Drug Plans – Apply to Social Security Gross Income | Assets* | Assistance | What you need to know | Under $15,600 (Single) $21,000 (Couple**) | Under $12,510 (Single) $25,010 (Couple**) | $60 Deductible 15% co-payment of drugs up to $6,153 Sliding scale assistance toward the Drug Plan monthly premium | 1. APPLY for Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy at Social Security 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov 2. Enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan 3. If eligible, apply for SLMB II. Call SHIP for information and an application 410-887-2059 | Under $14,040 (Single) $18,900 (Couple**) | Under $8,100 (Single) $12,910 (Couple**) | No Monthly Premium No Deductible $2.40 co-payment generic $6 co-payment name brand | 1. APPLY for Extra Help /Low Income Subsidy) at Social Security 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov 2. Enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan 3. If eligible, apply for QMB/SLMB Call SHIP for information and an application 410-887-2059 | Under $10,400 (Single) $14,000 (Couple**) | Under $8,100 (Single) $12,910 (Couple**) | No Premium No Deductible $1.10 generic $3.20 name brand | 1. APPLY for Extra Help/Low Income Subsidy at Social Security 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov 2. Enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan 3. If eligible apply for the QMB. Call SHIP for information and an application. 410-887-2059 | * Assets: House and car not counted as assets/resources **Couple is defined as married and living together |
Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program
Savings up to $25 toward Medicare Prescription Drug monthly Premium
2009 will pay up to $1000 toward Prescription Drugs in GAP
For an application Call SHIP at 410-887-2059 or go to www.marylandspdap.com Gross income | Assets | Assistance | What you need to know | Under $31,200 (Single) $42,000 (Couple**) | Not counted | Pays $25 toward the Medicare Part D monthly premium. In 2009 will pay up to $1,200 in the Prescription Drug Plan GAP | APPLY to Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP) 1-800-551-5995 www.marylandspdap.com Call SHIP 410-887-2059 for an application |
Baltimore County Department of Aging is pleased to offer research assistance on the Medicare Part D Program. All Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to make informed choices on their prescription drug plan as it could save you money by selecting the plan that best fits your medication needs. Senior Center | Date | Time | Fleming
641 Main Street Baltimore, MD 21222 | November 17, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | *Catonsville *
501 N. Rolling Road Baltimore, MD 21228 | November 18, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. | Victory Villa
403 Compass Road Baltimore MD 21220 | November 19, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | *Parkville*
8601 Harford Road Baltimore MD 21234 | November 21, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. | *Ateaze Senior Center*
7401 Holabird Ave Baltimore, MD 21222 | November 24, 2008 | 9:30a.m.- 3 p.m. | Overlea
4314F Fullerton Ave Baltimore MD 21236 | November 25, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Mt. Carmel
17038 Prettyboy Dam Rd Parkton MD 21120 | November 25, 2008 | noon - 2 p.m. | Jacksonville
3101 Papermill Rd Phoenix, MD 21131 | November 26, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- noon | Reisterstown
12035 Reisterstown Rd Reisterstown, MD 21136 | December 1, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- noon | Bykota
611 Central Ave Baltimore, MD 21204 | December 2, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- noon | Rosedale
1208 Neighbors Ave Baltimore, MD 21237 | December 4, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- noon | *Pikesville*
1301 Reisterstown Rd Baltimore, MD21208 | December 8, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. | Lansdowne
424 Third Ave Baltimore, MD 21227 | December 9, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Essex
600 Dorsey Ave Baltimore, MD 21221 | December 11, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Seven Oaks
9210 Seven Courts Dr Baltimore, MD 21236 | December 12, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Woodlawn
2120 Gwynn Oak Ave Baltimore, MD 21207 | December 15, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Liberty
3525 Resource Dr Randallstown, MD 21133 | December 16, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | Edgemere
6600 North Point Rd Baltimore, MD 21219 | December 17, 2008 | 9:30 a.m. - noon | *Cockeysville*
10535 York Rd Cockeysville, MD 21093 | December 19, 2008 | 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. |
Back to top Revised November 21, 2008 |
| 
| |
|
|
Courthouse 