Medicare savings program changes CT
There are some very substantial income level Medicare savings program changes CT. The chart below will help you to see exactly what those changes in income are for the 2018 calendar year. Each year the State of Connecticut offers certain eligible enrollees financial assistance through the ‘Medicare Savings Programs’. These programs are also known as the MSP. The programs help qualified individuals pay their Medicare Part B premiums and deductibles as well as their co-insurance.
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If your income level qualifies you for one of the three Medicare Savings Programs;
DSS will pay your Medicare Part B premium each month. In addition, certain qualified individuals will receive help for both Medicare deductibles and co-insurance. The Medicare Savings Programs are funded by Medicaid.
**IMPORTANT:
State budget legislation (Public Act 17-2, Section 50) has made some big changes to the income-eligibility levels for the Medicare Savings Programs. These changes are effective as of January 1, 2018. The chart below allows you to see both the current income levels in 2017 as well as the new income levels for 2018. DSS is currently sending out notices with more detailed information for Medicare Savings Program recipients who will be affected by the changes in income eligibility amounts.
| MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM BENEFIT SUMMARY/
SERVICES PROVIDED |
INCOME- ELIGIBILITY LIMIT PRIOR TO JAN. 1, 2018 | INCOME- ELIGIBILITY LIMIT BEGINNING
JAN. 1, 2018 |
RELATED INFORMATION | |||
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
(QMB) |
Medicaid pays the Medicare Part A premiums, Medicare Part B premiums, as well as the 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 |
$1,226
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. This may limit the number of individuals in the group.
At all three levels:there is an income ‘disregard’ for beneficiaries who have income through employment. This means that the actual eligibility levels for the Medicare Savings Programs will be somewhat higher for working people. |
||||||
Additional Help – the Low-Income Subsidy
The additional help will not be effective until Social Security is notified that you are currently enrolled in an MSP (Medicare Savings Program).
The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) is an extra benefit from Medicare. It is for people who have Medicare Part D. If you have both Medicare and a Medicare Savings Program, you are automatically eligible for the LIS. With the LIS you can get:
- Monthly premium payment help for your Part D Medicare coverage.
- Help with your Medicare Part D yearly deductibles.
- Payment help for your Medicare Part D co-insurance as well as co-pays for drugs that are on your plan formulary.
If you have questions about these programs, please contact our office. You can reach us either by phone at (203)796-5403 or by email at edward@croweandassociates.com.
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