Simply put, plenty of times, we find that our clients struggle with paying for the basics of Medicare. As experts in taking care of our citizens right here in Tennessee, we’re here to tell you that you may be able to get help if you cannot afford Medicare. You may qualify if you have limited income and resources because there are certain programs that can help pay for your premiums and out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and coinsurance.
When it comes to getting help with Part A & B costs, at HealthTN.com, we have tools that help those with limited income and assets. It may very well be that you may qualify for help paying for your Medicare Part B premium and other Medicare costs. Medicare and the Tennessee Medicaid program work together to provide you with this help, called the Medicare Savings Programs.
There are four different Medicare Savings Programs, which we covered in an earlier post. Each program has a different income and resource eligibility limit, so even if you not qualify for Medicaid, you may qualify for one of these programs to help you cover your Medicare costs.
The real challenge for many seniors is paying Medicare drug costs. There is a program we specialize in called Extra Help (also called the Part D low-income subsidy or LIS). Its a Federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Part D premiums and drug costs – in fact – most people who qualify for Extra Help will pay no premiums and no deductibles.
The amount of Extra Help you get depends on your income and resources. If you qualify for Extra Help, you can join a Medicare Part D plan at any time and will not have to pay a penalty, even if you enroll late. Plus, people who receive Extra Help can change Part D plans at any time – as often as once per month.
Even if we work with you and we determine that you don’t qualify for Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help, there are other programs to help you save money on prescriptions. This is the realm of State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs or, as it’s known in Tennessee, CoverRx.
You still may be able to save money on your Medicare costs by comparing plans and shopping around to find the best coverage for your personal situation and this is where partnering with HealthTN.com really shines.
Even though the so-called “donut hole” is closing – albeit slowly – if you qualify for Extra Help with costs, you will not have a coverage gap. You will continue to pay reduced or no copays or coinsurance for each prescription depending on how much income you have, your copays or coinsurance may get even lower when your total drug costs (what you and your plan pay for your drugs) reach $6,455.
So the important thing to remember is that you need to team with a pro. When you reach out to us online or over the phone – (615) 541-4257 – you’ll get straight talk. Not a bunch of legal and medical mumbo-jumbo. We’re from here and we are here.
HealthTN
At HealthTN.com we have been serving families in Middle, East and West Tennessee for the last 5 years as an extension of Continentalha.com. Our agents are from every corner of the state ready to serve all areas in East, Middle and West Tennessee. Our home office is currently located in Nashville, TN.
