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What You Should Know About The Medicare Prescription Drug Plans: Qualify For Extra Help And Pay No Penalty In 2008SSA Publication No. 05-10126, February 2008, ICN 468760 [View .pdf] ( En Español) |
We have good news. You still can sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan and pay no penalty in 2008 if you qualify for extra help. Once you qualify, you can select the Medicare prescription plan of your choice. If you do not select a plan, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will do it for you. And most important, the extra help pays for all or most of your monthly premiums and annual deductibles and lowers your prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth up to $3,600 per year. You may be eligible for the extra help if you are on Medicare and have limited income and resources. |
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What are the income and resources limits?
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What should I do next?If you are not getting the extra help automatically, it is easy to apply. Just complete Social Security’s Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Here’s how:
After you apply, Social Security will review your application and send you a letter to let you know if you qualify for the extra help. If you are eligible for the extra help, you can enroll in a plan until December 31, 2008, and you will not pay a penalty. The sooner you join a plan the sooner you begin receiving benefits. If you are not eligible for the extra help, you still may be able to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan. For information about enrollment periods visit www.medicare.gov or call the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). For more information about getting extra help with your Medicare prescription drug plan costs, visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Social Security representatives are available to help you complete your application. |
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How Social Security can help you with the Medicare prescription drug plans?
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How you can get help to make a decision on enrolling in a specific prescription drug plan?
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What factors should I consider when comparing Medicare drug plan choices?
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How can I join a Medicare prescription drug plan?
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