Medicare Extra Help
What is Extra Help with Medicare prescription
drug plan costs?
Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare
prescription drug coverage.
Some people with limited resources
and income also may be able to get Extra Help to pay for the costs—monthly
premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments—related to a
Medicare prescription drug plan. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. Many people qualify for these big savings
and don’t even know it.
To qualify for Extra Help:
- You must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;
- Your resources must be limited to $13,300 for an individual or $26,580for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. Social Security does not count your home, car and any life insurance policy as resources; and
- Your annual income must be limited to $17,235 for an
individual or $23,265 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual
income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where
your income may be higher are if you or your spouse:
- Support other family members who live with you;
- Have earnings from work; or
- Live in Alaska or Hawaii
Charity Care Patience Assistance at Area Hospitals
Financial hardship should never stop
you from getting the medical care that you need. Perhaps your job offers a
health plan but it doesn’t cover some of the care you need Maybe unemployment
has made it hard for you to make ends meet and bills are piling up. We may be
able to help ease your financial burden.
The University of Rochester Medical Center Charity Care Programs
helps those who are unable to pay for needed services provided by Strong
Memorial Hospital, Highland Hospital, or their participating physicians and office practices.
You may qualify for discounts on
medical care through the Charity
Care Programs if:
- You do not have health insurance
- You have health insurance but it does not fully cover the medical care you need
- You are not eligible for Medicaid
- You meet criteria for financial assistance
The Goal is to ensure that people in
the community can get medically necessary services regardless of their ability
to pay.
Strong Patient Service
Representatives are eager to answer your questions and work with you to help
you apply for assistance with your medical bills.
If you want to find out more about financial
assistance programs, please call:
University of Rochester Strong
Hospital: (585) 758-7650 or toll free (888) 925-4301
Highland Hospital:
(585) 341-0023
Or apply on-line
A Patient Service Representatives
will provide you with an application and will explain the documents needed to
apply for Charity Care. All decisions for assistance are based on family size
and household income.
If you already have medical bills
that you can’t afford to pay, don’t wait any longer to call for help. The sooner we
can process your Charity Care Application, the sooner we will know
how we can help you.
Rochester GeneralHospital and Unity Hospital Patient Assistance:
The Charity Care Program has been
developed to help the Health System meet the needs of our patients who are
either uninsured or require assistance in meeting their financial obligations
while maintaining the financial viability of the Health System.
To apply for financial assistance please complete this application and mail to:
Rochester Regional Health
Attention: Financial Assistance
100 Kings Highway S.
Rochester, NY 14617
To speak to a customer service representative please call: 585-922-1900
Monday through Friday: 8:00am-5:00pm
If your
hospital is not listed, Google: (Charity Care + “name of your hospital”)
Pharmaceutical Programs
Many
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers offer name brand name prescription drugs for free
if you meet income guidelines which can range up to $75,000. Google: ( drug name + patient assistant program).
EPIC
EPIC provides secondary coverage for Medicare Part D and EPIC-covered drugs purchased after any Medicare Part D deductible is met. EPIC also covers approved Part D-excluded drugs once a member is enrolled in Part D.
EPIC helps pay the Medicare Part D drug plan premiums for members with income up to $23,000 if single or $29,000 if married. Higher income members are required to pay their own Part D premiums but EPIC provides premium assistance by lowering their EPIC deductible.
EPIC has two plans based on income. The Fee Plan is for members with income up to $20,000 if single or $26,000 if married. The Deductible Plan is for members with incomes ranging from $20,001 to $75,000 if single or $26,001 to $100,000 if married.
It is easy to join the program. Just complete the application and mail or fax it to EPIC. No documentation is required. EPIC verifies information with the Social Security Administration and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
EPIC
Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) Program
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 265,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Seniors can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive EPIC benefits and maintain coverage.EPIC provides secondary coverage for Medicare Part D and EPIC-covered drugs purchased after any Medicare Part D deductible is met. EPIC also covers approved Part D-excluded drugs once a member is enrolled in Part D.
EPIC helps pay the Medicare Part D drug plan premiums for members with income up to $23,000 if single or $29,000 if married. Higher income members are required to pay their own Part D premiums but EPIC provides premium assistance by lowering their EPIC deductible.
EPIC has two plans based on income. The Fee Plan is for members with income up to $20,000 if single or $26,000 if married. The Deductible Plan is for members with incomes ranging from $20,001 to $75,000 if single or $26,001 to $100,000 if married.
It is easy to join the program. Just complete the application and mail or fax it to EPIC. No documentation is required. EPIC verifies information with the Social Security Administration and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance
Apply today!
Carmen Coleman, MBA
30 W. Broad Street, Suite 302
Rochester, NY 14614
(585) 325-2525 office
