|
| 1. If I receive Medicare Beneficiaries help, can I also qualify for other kinds of assistance? |
| 2. If I qualify, when will my Medicare Beneficiaries benefits begin? |
| 3. How will I know if I qualify? |
| 4. How will I know when my Medicare premiums are being paid? |
| 5. Will any of the Medicare Beneficiaries Programs pay for prescription drugs? |
| 6. How do I apply for Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? |
| 7. Will owning my own home make me ineligible for the Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? |
| 8. Will owning a car make me ineligible for the Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? |
|
|
| 1. If I receive Medicare Beneficiaries help, can I also qualify for other kinds of assistance? | Back to top |
Yes. If you meet all the requirements for food stamp benefits, you can receive food stamp benefits at the same time as any Medicare Beneficiaries program. If you are eligible for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) Program or the Specified Low Income Beneficiaries (SLMB) program, you may also qualify for Medicaid. However, if you qualify for both the Specified Low-Income Beneficiaries (SLMB135) program and Medicaid you must choose between the SLMB 135 program and Medicaid. You also cannot get Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) coverage and Medicaid at the same time. |
| |
| 2. If I qualify, when will my Medicare Beneficiaries benefits begin? | Back to top |
If you qualify, your Specified Low-Income Beneficiaries (SLMB) or Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) benefits will start as of the month you apply. By federal law, Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) benefits cannot start until the month after the month you apply. |
| |
| 3. How will I know if I qualify? | Back to top |
We will send you a Notice of Decision that tells you which Medicare Beneficiaries program you qualify for and when your benefits begin. |
| |
| 4. How will I know when my Medicare premiums are being paid? | Back to top |
Once we start paying the premiums for you, the amount of your monthly Social Security check will increase because Social Security will stop taking the premium out of your check. However, it may be several months before this happens. If, two months after we notify you that you qualify for one of the Medicare Beneficiaries Savings Programs, your Social Security check has not increased, contact your worker at the DHHS District Office. |
| |
| 5. Will any of the Medicare Beneficiaries Programs pay for prescription drugs? | Back to top |
No. These programs only pay for Medicare premiums. However, if an individual qualifies for the QMB Program, the Medicare co-insurance and deductible costs will also be paid. |
| |
| 6. How do I apply for Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? | Back to top |
You can apply in person by going to a DHHS District Office or you can apply through the mail. If choosing to apply through the mail, call a DHHS District Office and ask them to send you an application form and instructions. You may also apply through counselors from the Health Insurance Counseling, Information and Education Services program (HICEAS). |
| |
| 7. Will owning my own home make me ineligible for the Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? | Back to top |
No. There is a resource limit ($4000 for one person, $6000 for a couple) for these programs, but we do not count the value of the home you are living in when we figure the amount of resources you have. |
| |
| 8. Will owning a car make me ineligible for the Medicare Beneficiaries Program benefits? | Back to top |
No. We do not count the value of any vehicles you or your spouse own when we figure the amount of resources you have. |
| |
