Medicare targeting low-income seniors

By Paula J. McGarvey - 12/28/2007

The Area V Agency on Aging in Butte is one of 29 agencies nationwide that have recently received additional funding from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to seek out and sign up low-income individuals for prescription drug coverage.

According to Joe Gilboy, Area V director, CMS identified Butte-Silver Bow as having a disproportionately high number of seniors eligible for the Low Income Subsidy benefit who currently have no prescription drug coverage.

“By (CMS) estimates, Butte-Silver Bow has the largest number of these people for the state of Montana. The question is why haven’t these people accessed one of the plans?” said Gilboy.

With the goal of educating and enrolling those in the targeted group, the Area V office will be planning an education and sign-up event on Friday and will continue hosting such events through June, said Gilboy.

The open enrollment and plan changing window for Medicare part D began Nov. 15 and runs through Dec. 31, but Gilboy said that those who qualify for the Low Income Subsidy have continuous open enrollment year round.

Unlike those who missed the original Medicare Part D drug plan signup deadline of May 15, 2006, Gilboy said those qualifying for LIS benefits do not have to pay the 1 percent per month premium penalty for delaying enrollment.

Gilboy said that the LIS benefit is available to single people who have an annual income below $14,700 and married couples with an income less than $19,800 who have limited resources. Gilboy said that to determine if they qualify, people must file an application with Social Security. Once LIS status is determined, a Medicare Part D plan is picked.

“The Low Income Subsidy Plan supplements the Medicare Part D plan,” he explained.

Gilboy said that low-income people who fail to qualify for the LIS benefit could be eligible for Montana’s pharmacy assistance plan, Big Sky Rx, which raises income eligibility to $20,660 for singles and $27,620 for those who are married.

Gilboy said that the Area V Agency on Aging office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. and encourages any low-income senior with questions to contact the Butte office at 782-5555.

“It’s no obligation. Give us a call and see if you qualify,” he said.