November 2017 - Crowe & Associates

Medicare savings program CT 2018

By Ed Crowe | General Articles | 0 comment | 21 November, 2017 | 0

Medicare savings program CT 2018

There have been major changes made to the Medicare Savings Program CT 2018. The changes have substantially lowered the income guidelines for those receiving help with their Medicare Part B premium, drug co-pay costs and Medical cost shares. Prior to 1-1-18 anyone that was under the monthly income levels below qualified for help. There is not an asset test on the programs.

Those who no longer qualify for programs based on the new income limits will notice changes for 2018. If you no longer qualify, you will start to again pay your Medicare part B premium which is $134 a month for most people. If you are taking Social Security payments, they will start to take it out of your payment every month. Those not taking Social Security will be billed quarterly for it.

Anyone receiving drug help with co-pays will continue to receive that help throughout 2018 even if they no longer qualify for the program. Those receiving cost share help with co-pays and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance will cease getting that help as of 1-1-18. (assuming you no longer qualify based on the new income amount) Anyone qualifying at any of the below levels does not pay the monthly part B premium, has help on drug costs and is not subject to the drug plan coverage gap. Those that qualify at QMB level also have help with medical costs.

Medicare Savings Program CT 2018 – Update

NOTE: UPDATE: It has recently been decided the program will be extended under the 2017 income levels through the month of February 2018

**Please note: The chart below gives income levels for 2017 and the new income levels for 2018. Allowable income levels for all program have dropped.

	MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM BENEFIT SUMMARY/SERVICES	INCOME- ELIGIBILITY LIMIT BEFORE JAN. 1, 2018		INCOME- ELIGIBILITY LIMIT JAN. 1, 2018		RELATED INFORMATION
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)	Medicaid pays the Medicare Part A premiums, Medicare Part B premiums, and Medicare deductibles and coinsurance for Medicare services provided by Medicare-enrolled providers.	single	couple	single	couple	Entitled to Medicare Part A. No asset test. May have both QMB and full Medicaid, if eligible.
		$2,120 per month	$2,854 per month	$1,025 per month	$1,374 per month
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)	Medicaid pays Medicare Part B premiums only.	single	couple	single	couple	Entitled to Medicare Part A. No asset test. May have both SLMB and full Medicaid, if eligible.
		$2,321 per month	$3,125 per month	$1,225 per month	$1,644 per month
Additional Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, also known as Qualifying Individual (ALMB)*	Medicaid pays Medicare Part B premiums only.	single	couple	single	couple	Entitled to Medicare Part A. No asset test. May not have ALMB and any other Medicaid at the same time.
		$2,472 per month	$3,328 per month	$1,377 per month	$1,847 per month
*There is an annual cap on funding for the ALMB benefit level, which could limit the number of individuals accepted into the benefit. At all three levels, there is an income ‘disregard’ for beneficiaries who have income through employment, meaning that the actual eligibility levels for the Medicare Savings Programs will be somewhat higher for working people.