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I seem to be running into more and more folks during T65 visits that based on their income and asset amounts should qualify for some level of state assistance for Medicare. If I find out that as single/married they make less than $17,235/$23,265 annually, and have less than the thresholds for asset amounts too, I'll start explaining about Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs. I'll show them what Parts A, B, & D of Medicare cover, what the premiums and cost shares usually are with them, then based on exactly their level of income and assets what they can probably qualify for as far as getting the various premiums, deductibles, etc. paid for. Since by this point, they've almost always told me they "can't afford any insurance", I instruct them to go to the local Social Security office and apply for Extra Help and MSPs, and see what they can get. Then after this, I mention, I can help them cover the remainders of what's left.
The problem is that I rarely hear from these folks again. Even though I'll give them explicit instructions on what to ask to apply for or what they should qualify for, they either don't get back with me or answer/return my follow up calls. I'm trying to help these folks get all the assistance they're entitled to and then enroll them in a D-SNP or Plan N or something (whatever's appropriate in their case), but I rarely end up getting the chance.
How do you guys handle these situations? Are you possibly going to the Social Security office with them? If you call Medicare or the SSA with them in this first appointment, will they be able to give an answer right away about what the beneficiary can qualify for, or is there an application and approval process that takes several weeks? If they could give an answer quickly, would it be available for someone still 6 months out, or maybe they'd have a better idea when their T65 month gets closer? I know Medicare will send letters to beneficiaries letting them what help they qualify for, but this seems to be more of the exception that the norm. Earlier this week, I talked to a 72 y/o guy who has A & B with no other supplement, whose only income is ~$1,100 of Social Security, and they've always taken the Part B premium out of his check. This doesn't seem right.
Anyway, any advice or helpful experiences are appreciated!
The problem is that I rarely hear from these folks again. Even though I'll give them explicit instructions on what to ask to apply for or what they should qualify for, they either don't get back with me or answer/return my follow up calls. I'm trying to help these folks get all the assistance they're entitled to and then enroll them in a D-SNP or Plan N or something (whatever's appropriate in their case), but I rarely end up getting the chance.
How do you guys handle these situations? Are you possibly going to the Social Security office with them? If you call Medicare or the SSA with them in this first appointment, will they be able to give an answer right away about what the beneficiary can qualify for, or is there an application and approval process that takes several weeks? If they could give an answer quickly, would it be available for someone still 6 months out, or maybe they'd have a better idea when their T65 month gets closer? I know Medicare will send letters to beneficiaries letting them what help they qualify for, but this seems to be more of the exception that the norm. Earlier this week, I talked to a 72 y/o guy who has A & B with no other supplement, whose only income is ~$1,100 of Social Security, and they've always taken the Part B premium out of his check. This doesn't seem right.
Anyway, any advice or helpful experiences are appreciated!