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Medicare Savings Program CT 2023

If you are either a Medicare beneficiary, eligible to receive Medicare or a Medicare agent who offers plans in CT, you need to understand the Medicare Savings Program CT 2023.  This can be a very useful tool for some clients who have a lower income.

The amount of extra help you receive depends on your gross income level.  Single people will use their gross income to determine eligibility and level of help.  Married couples’ eligibility depends on their combined gross income.  The monthly income limits in the chart below are effective as of March 1, 2022.

If your income falls either at or below the income levels listed below, If you are not sure if you are eligible to receive extra help; we have listed the income levels below:

There are 3 different levels of MSP:

The level of help you receive is based on your gross income.  Please see below for MSP levels and what they provide:

Click here for income level chart.

QMB – this level of extra help pays your Part B premium, all Medicare deductibles and co-insurance.

Income levels for QMB are as follows:  Individual, $2,390 of gross income per month,  couples, $3,220 per month.

SLMB – this level pays your Part B premium only.

The income levels for SLMB are as follows:  Individual, $2,617 of gross income per month, couples, $3,525 per month.

ALMB – this level will provide payment of your Part B premium and is subject to availability of program funds. If you receive Medicaid, you cannot participate in this program.

Income levels for ALMB are as follows:  Individual, $2,786 gross income per month and couples, $3,754 per month.

To apply online, please visit www.connect.ct.gov, under ‘Apply for Benefits.’

Formulario de Renovación de programas de ahorro de Medicare (W-1QMBS)

Click here to download a CT MSP application

If you receive any of these levels of MSP coverage, you are automatically enrolled in the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), also called “Extra Help” with Medicare.  Once you are enrolled in LIS, Medicare pays the full cost of your Medicare (Part D) prescription drug coverage i fit is a benchmark plan.  Medicare will pay a portion of anon-benchmark plan.  They will also provide payment of your annual Part D deductibles, co-insurance or co-pays.  This does not change if you hi the coverage gap (donut hole).

Once you have LIS, you have a special enrollment period to change either Part D or Medicare Advantage plan.

If you need more information about the LIS, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).

Medicare savings program CT 2019

There have been some updates to the income limits for the Medicare savings program CT 2019.

INFORMATION IN THIS POST HAS BEEN UPDATED.   CLICK HERE FOR THE NEW PAGE.

The first question you might ask is; who is eligible for the Medicare savings programs CT 2019?  Anyone that qualifies for Medicare part A who has income below a certain level may be eligible for the program.  In most cases, you qualify for Medicare Part A when you turn 65.  Although, certain people who have a permanent disability for 2 years or more can also qualify.

Below is a chart that shows the current income limits for the Medicare savings program Ct 2019:

If you have Medicare Part B:

You may receive help paying your monthly premium.  The premium for Part B normally comes out of your Social Security check.  When you qualify for any of the Medicare savings programs (either QMB, SLMB or ALMB) the state will pay your Part B premium.

If you do not qualify for Part A or Part B benefits,  the state of CT will help you get them.  If you qualify for QMB, the state will pay your Part A premium for you.  You can “conditionally” apply for Medicare Part A through your local Social Security Administration office or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.

When you qualify for any level of MSP, you are able to apply for benefits outside the normal enrollment period.  This enrollment is called a “buy-in”.  The QMB program will also help with co-insurance payments as well as deductibles.  The SLMB and ALMB programs do not pay either co-insurance or deductibles for you.

Click here to download the MSP Brochure in English.

Click here for MSP Brochure 2019 in Spanish.

These programs take time to go into effect.  It can be 90 days before there is a difference in your Social Security check.  If this happens, Social Security will reimburse you for the premiums that you paid during that time.  Keep in mind, there is no asset limit for any of the programs.  The only thing that matters is your income.  The amount of help you get will depend on your income.

What is considered income?

Things such as; wages, alimony, rental income, interest or dividends as well as Social Security, pensions and disability payments area all considered income.  You will not have to supply proof of your income when you first submit your application for benefits.  Social Security can easily check the information you provided them.  They will notify you if they need more information to process your request.

MSP 2019 Quick guide 2019 – click here

How to apply for benefits:

MSP application CT – click here

Either you can send your application to:
DSS ConneCT Scanning Center
P.O. Box 1320
Manchester, CT 06045-1320
Or, speak to a representative at 2-1-1.  The representatives are available 24 hours a day every day.  You can also call a Choices health insurance counselor at 1-800-994-9422.

To learn more about the services we offer at Crowe and Associates, click this link.

You can also contact us either by phone at (203)-796-5403 or by email at edward@croweandassociates.com.

3-D Graphics image provided by Quince Creative, click here to view more by this artist

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 CT

If you would like some information on Medicare Savings Program CT, you should read this post.  The Medicare Savings Programs (MSP), has multiple levels called QMB (qualified Medicare beneficiary), SLMB (specified low income medicare beneficiary) as well as ALMB (additional low income Medicare beneficiary). As you can see, there can be many confusing terms used for the same program. We hope this will help you sort it out a little.  All are programs that can help qualified individuals pay for both their Medicare premiums and drug costs.  In fact, QMB will also help you by paying your Medicare coinsurance as well as your deductibles.

Who is eligible for the Medicare Savings Program CT

If you are eligible for Medicare Part A and your income is below the program limit, you could be eligible for one of CT’s Medicare assistance programs.  Eligibility for the programs is determined by the amount of your annual adjusted gross income.  The amount of your assets will not matter when determining your eligibility.  However, any money being drawn out of a qualified retirement plan such as an IRA will count as income in the year it is taken. Individuals with income below $2,265 a month are eligible for MSP at the ALMB level.  Couples under $3,064 are also eligible.

Benefits

MSP does more than pay the monthly part B Medicare premium.  Depending on the level of help, the program can reduce drug copays, pay monthly part D drug premiums (up to the benchmark) create a special election period and pay medical copays.  (QMB level and higher)

Single vs. Couple Medicare Savings Program CT

If a couple is married, the income of both spouses is considered. They are not able to qualify as an individual.  Any Medicare Part B premium deductions you have will also count towards your income.  Even though the part B premium is being pulled out of your Social Security check, it still counts as income.

Re-determination of Medicare Savings Program CT

Those on MSP will need to re-certify for the program on an annual basis.  Failure to fill out the re-determination notice will result in removal from the program.

Click for MSP Application

Click for MSP Brochure and Income levels