Medicare Part D Question

Does anyone know what this means by "food stamp benefits may decline but the value of Medicare's Extra Help will make up for that."

Does the extra help provide me with extra money per month to make up for decline in food benefits? I mean I already pay a premium out of my SSDI benefits, and declining my food benefits is gonna suck because instead of $820/ month I'm now getting only $710 and most of that is to pay the cost of bills. I need the food card to get food. If anyone knows what they are talking about here, I'd appreciate the feedback.

It's frustrating how confusing they make these things for people to understand. It's a very complicated system and costs vary from region to region.

I found a book excerpt on Google that helps explain it a little more and also has instructions on how to get to an online Medicare tool to help give you some real numbers. After checking that out, I would still call Social Security (who handles your Medicare premiums and coordinates Federal and State benefits) at 1-800-772-1213 to discuss your personal situation.

Here's the Google link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=NBu...page&q&f=false

Overall, it sounds like it may be in most people's favor to get the extra help if you qualify, especially if you qualify for the full subsidy.

Good luck.

If you get $1000 in food stamps, pay $1000 for your meds per month in deductibles/out-of-pocket, getting the insurance and paying, say $50 which reduces your out-of-pocket med expenses to $500 will only reduce your food stamps $50.

So, whereas you got 1,000 in food stamps but paid $1,000 for meds (equalling $0) now you will have $950 in food stamps but only pay $500 for meds so you will have a gain of $450.

So, total up how much your current insurance-for-meds plan costs you each month, how much your deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses are (for example if you pay $10 for a med at the pharmacy) and balance that total against how much the Help would cost and cover.

If the total of what you are paying for meds and med-insurance now (X) each month is greater than the cost of insurance that would pay for more of the costs (Y), then you want to get the Medicare/Y insurance. They will subtract its cost out of your food stamps but you will end up having more "cash" out of your total income.

Even if you have no insurance now; if you have five drugs that you get for $10 each each month for $50 total, and the insurance costs $30 a month and you pay $0 for each with the insurance, that is a gain of $20 in your pocket! They just have you pay from a "strange" part of your income (food stamps).

Income $1,000 from job
$1,000 from food stamps
Total = $2,000
Expense $50 for meds
Total = $1,950

Income $1,000 from job
$970 from food stamps
No expense for meds
Total $1,970

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpdruins Does anyone know what this means by "food stamp benefits may decline but the value of Medicare's Extra Help will make up for that."

When you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, your premium is paid by your State Medicaid Program. This means your premium is now returned to your Disability check.

Check this Medicare page out: http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/m...wIncomeSubsidy
Help with Medical and Drug Costs
You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions

Your SS Disability income is basically in the same range as mine. So, most likely
you would qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program.
See the above link for more information.