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Help With Prescription Drug Costs |
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Save on drug costs!Apply for extra help with Medicare prescription drug plan costsSSA Publication No. 05-10509, August 2008 ICN 470113 [View pdf] (En Español) |
A Few Minutes Of Your Time Can Save You Up To $ 3,600 A Year On Prescription Drugs Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited income and resources also are eligible for extra help to pay for the costs—monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments—related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. The extra help could be worth up to $3,600 per year. Many people qualify for these big savings and don’t even know it. To find out if you qualify, Social Security will need to know your income and the value of your savings, investments and real estate (other than your home). If you are married and living with your spouse, we will need information about both of you. To qualify for extra help you must have:
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How to apply |
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. 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. The sooner you join a plan the sooner you begin receiving benefits. Our worksheet can help you decide if you are eligible and will be a guide for completing the application for extra help. The worksheet is not an application. You will need to:
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Help from state agencies |
State medical assistance (Medicaid) offices offer Medicare Savings Programs. These Medicare Savings Programs also help people with limited income and resources pay for their Medicare expenses. If you pay a premium for Medicare Part A, the Medicare Savings Programs may pay it for you. The help you get from the Medicare Savings Programs can save you more than $1,100 a year. This assistance is in addition to the extra help. If you think you might be able to get help from your state with Medicare costs, or if you are not sure, call your state medical assistance (Medicaid) office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). |
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For more information |
For more information about getting help with your prescription drug 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. To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). Medicare also can tell you about agencies in your area that can help you with Medicare prescription drug plans. |
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Last reviewed or modified Thursday Sep 04, 2008 |