Senior News

Roosevelt County Aging Services wants to let seniors know about some Medicare Helping Programs.

There is Social Security Extra Help, which helps with the cost of your Medicare part D prescription costs. The income limit for Extra Help is $22,830 for a single person or $30,900 for a couple. The asset limit for a single person is up to $17,220 or $34,360 for a couple. Your home, vehicle and personal possessions do not count as assets. Assets include checking or saving accounts, IRAs, stocks, bonds or other properties. If you qualify for Extra Help, this would generally make your generic medication cost $4.90 and brand name medication $12.15 and changes your Part D deductible.

Big Sky Rx is a program that is state run and funded through the tobacco tax. It helps pay for your Medicare Part D premium. The income limit for Big Sky Rx is $30,120 for a single person or $40,880 for a couple per year. Big Sky Rx does not count assets. They will cover up to $50.60 of your Part D premium.

There are a few different Medicare Savings Programs or MSPs. The first is Qualified Medicare Beneficiary. To qualify for this program, your income must be at or below $1,255 if single or $1,704 if married. Your resources must be at or below $9,430 if single or $14,130 if married. This program will cover your Medicare Part A hospital deductible, hospital co-pays, Part A monthly premium, Part B annual deductible, Part B monthly premium and the Part B 20 percent co-insurance.

The next program is Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary. To qualify for this program, your income must be at or below $1,506 if single or $2,044 if married. Your resources must be at or below $9,430 if single or $14,130 if married. This program covers your Medicare Part B monthly premium.

The last Medicare helping program is called Qualifying Individual. To qualify for this program your income must be at or below $1,694 if single or $2,300 if married. Your resources must be at or below $9,430 if single or $14,130 if married. This program covers your Part B monthly premium, but you cannot be eligible for other Medicaid.

If any of these programs sound like something you may qualify for, call Roosevelt County Aging Services at 406653-6221 to make an appointment with Julie or Alyssa.