Joe Hornaday
The State Health Insurance Program, or SHIP, is still offering its services to Greensburg and Decatur County residents who have growing concerns about medical care and the cost of prescription drugs.
According to a SHIP release, residents may qualify for help paying for their Medicare Part D drug costs and their Part B premiums. The state of Indiana has programs that can help citizens pay their Medicare expenses, including premiums, deductibles and co-insurance. The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a program through the Indiana Division of Family Resources.
Low Income Subsidy (LIS), also known as Extra Help in Indiana, is a program through the Social Security Administration. Beginning this year, the asset limits for full low income subsidies will match the asset limits for the Medicare Savings Program other than the “set aside” amount. This is a difference of $1,500 that LIS allows for burial expenses, according to the release.
Because the asset levels are basically the same for both programs, checking for eligibility for both LIS and MSPs at the same time is a much simpler process.
When residents are applying for either LIS or MSP, their application will automatically be referred to both programs. At that point, they may choose to “opt-out” on the application if they choose not to apply for both.
For those residents who qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, they also automatically qualify for extra help paying the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. It is possible that they can still qualify for the MSPs at the LIS amounts.
To apply to LIS, those interested can schedule an appointment with their local Social Security office. To apply for MSP, those interested can schedule an appointment with their local Division of Family Services office. Both applications are also available on the Web at www.ssa.gov and www.in.gov/fssa/.
Those who ahve questions or would like to learn more about LIS or MSP can call SHIP at 1-800-452-4800 or on the Web at www.medicare.in.gov.
