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| Our friends at Southern Maine Agency on Aging are right! Maine's Area Agencies on Aging and Northern Light Health are helping homebound individuals get a COVID-19 vaccine. Do you know someone who is homebound and needs a vaccination in Maine? Watch the informational video below to learn more. |
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Dear Marci,
I have heard that some people don’t have to pay their Medicare premiums because they enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program. Can you explain this program?
-Donald (Bozeman, MT)
Dear Donald,
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements. To qualify for an MSP, you must have Medicare Part A and meet income and asset guidelines (note that these guidelines vary by state, and some states do not count assets when determining MSP eligibility).
Below are the benefits of each MSP, as well as the baseline federal income and asset limits. Most states use these limits, but some states have different guidelines. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Benefits Pays for Medicare Parts A and B premiums Eliminates cost-sharing for Medicare-covered services Eligibility Monthly income limit: $1,094 for an individual or $1,472 for a couple Asset limit: $7,970 for an individual or $11,960 for a couple Note: If you owe a premium for Part A and are not yet enrolled, and you meet QMB eligibility guidelines, your state may have a process to allow you to enroll in premium Part A and QMB at the same time. Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn more. Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Benefits Pays for Medicare Part B premium Eligibility Monthly income limit: $1,308 for an individual or $1,762 for a couple Asset limit: $7,970 for an individual or $11,960 for a couple Qualifying Individual (QI) Program Benefits Pays for Medicare Part B premium Eligibility Monthly income limit: $1,469 for an individual or $1,980 for a couple Asset limit: $7,970 for an individual or $11,960 for a couple In addition to the above benefits, the three MSPs also: Allow you to enroll in Medicare Part B outside of usual enrollment periods Eliminate your Part B late enrollment penalty, if you have one Automatically enroll you in the Extra Help program Before applying for an MSP, you should call your local Medicaid office for application steps, submission information (online, mail, appointment, or through community health centers and other organizations), and other state-specific guidelines. Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if you are eligible for an MSP in your state.
-Marci |
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Need to send us a referral?
Eastern Area Agency on Aging now has an easy, secure way for providers to send us referrals for clients or patients who need to access our services. The electronic link below is a HIPPA compliant form that any provider can use to request assistance from EAAA for any of our programs. EAAA staff will follow-up with you after receiving the referral to ensure effective and accurate communication about the needs of the person you are referring. |
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