Read more: Local, Health, State, Community, Medicare, Extra Help, Morning Show, Colorado Springs
The "Extra Help" program through Medicare is the topic of the "Family 411" segment on Monday, Nov. 10. FOX21 Morning News anchor Grace Polanski talks with Deb Galetta of Visiting Nurse Assocation about this important subject.
Galetta explains the program is an extra layer of help for low income families who qualify over and above the standard benefits. For example, many people who already qualify for Medicaid currently benefit from this program.
"You can have a lot more income and assets than the Medicaid limits and still qualify," Galetta says.
"For a single person, you qualify if you have an income of $1,300 a month or less, and your assets are about $12,000 or less. Your home, your car and your personal property don't count," she explains.
For a married couple, the income limit is $1,750 per month, and the asset limit is about $24,000, according to Galetta.
Persons interested in learning whether they qualify for "Extra Help" can apply online at www.ssa.gov then click on Medicare at the top of the page, then click on "Help with prescription drug costs." Applications are also available at any Social Security office, or can be ordered via phone.
The process takes a couple of weeks and those qualified receive a letter notifying them of their status. After getting qualified for the program, then participants choose one of the drug plans that are part of the benefit. There are eight plans to choose from, says Galetta.
"The object is to find one that covers all the medications you're taking," she explains.
The statewide, toll free number is 1-888-696-7213. Those interested can also contact Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.
Click on the movie camera/video icon on this page to view the segment and hear complete information as it aired on FOX21 News.
