YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY

YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY
By DAVID BROWN

Social Security and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are working together to ensure all Medicare beneficiaries know about their opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The initial enrollment period for the Prescription Drug Plans runs from Nov. 15 until May 15, 2006. If you enroll in a plan by Dec. 31, your coverage begins Jan. 1, 2006. If you enroll in a plan after Dec. 31, your coverage begins the following month.

Knowing where to go for the assistance can help you get answers quickly.

Some people with limited income and resources may qualify for extra financial help in paying for some or all of the costs of the prescription drug plans. Social Security is taking the applications for extra help and informing people whether or not they are approved. Basically, you may qualify if your income is less than $14,355 for an individual or $19,245 for a married couple living together, and your resources are less than $11,500 for an individual or $23,000 if you are married and living with your spouse. If you qualify, the extra help could save you an average of $2,100 per year in premiums, deductibles and copayments related to your prescription drug costs.

You can apply for the extra help online at www.socialsecurity.gov, or you can call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY, 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tell the rep that you want to apply for the Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs.

Some beneficiaries will automatically qualify for the extra financial help. Anyone who has both Medicare and Medicaid, or Medicare and Supplemental Security Income, or anyone whose state pays his or her Medicare premiums, will automatically qualify and will not have to complete an eligibility application.

Applying for extra help with Social Security is separate from selecting a Prescription Drug Plan. Even if you are approved for extra help, you still need to select the plan that best meets your needs. If you apply and qualify for the extra help but don't join a plan, Medicare will enroll you in one by May 15, 2006, to make sure you get this important coverage.

You also do not have to be eligible for the extra help to join a Prescription Drug Plan. The extra help is in addition to the potential savings you may receive if you join a plan.

Medicare drug plans will cover brand-name and generic drugs. Most plans will have a list of drugs, or formulary, that they cover as well as a list of which providers participate with the plan. Selecting the plan that is right for you requires comparing the providers to find which one best meets your needs. You need to sign up directly with the company or organization offering the prescription drug plan. To get more information about the plans, what drugs are covered and the costs involved, you can contact the providers, Medicare or state and local organizations. Medicare has a toll-free number where representatives can answer questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-4862048. The Internet site - www.medicare.gov - also has information and an online enrollment center to assist you.

Mr. Brown is District Manager of the Social Security Administration's Downtown New York Office.