Apply for the Medicare Savings Program!

Happy Fourth of July to everyone! Summer is finally here and we can get outside and enjoy! It's also a great time to save money on Medicare by applying for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP)!

If you have or qualify for Medicare you can apply to save money any time during the year. The MSP has three levels of savings: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (SLMB) and Qualifying Individual (QI).

If you qualify for the QMB Program, your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments will be paid. To qualify for QMB you must be eligible for Medicare Part A, and your income as an individual must be equal to or below $1,032 per month. If you are married your combined income must be equal to or below $1,392 per month.

If you qualify for SLMB or QI your Part B Premiums will be paid. Currently Part B Premiums are $134 per month, which total $1608 savings per year.

To qualify for SLMB Program you must be eligible for Medicare Part A, and your income as an individual must be equal to or below $1,234 per month. If you are married your combined income must be equal to or below $1,666 per month.

To qualify for QI Program you must be eligible for Medicare Part A, and your income as an individual must be equal to or below $1,386 per month. If you are married your combined income must be equal to or below $1,872 per month.

All three Medicare Savings Programs require that money in your cash accounts must be less than $7,560 for a single person and $11,340 for a married person living with a spouse and no other dependents.

To apply for Medicare Savings Program you need to complete Form DPHHS-HCS-004AA(Rev. 12/10) Call me, Linda Howard Seeley-Swan Resource Specialist, for an appointment at 406-541-7688. I have these forms available and I can help you apply.

The best of health to you, Linda