Perspective               

Dual Eligibles Lawsuit

The National Senior Citizens Law Center filed a class action lawsuit on June 16^th on behalf of consumer groups representing low-income seniors on Medicare. The lawsuit, Texas Gray Panthers v. Shalala, argues that the government has not adequately informed low-income people on Medicare of their rights to participate in programs designed to help pay for health care costs not covered by Medicare. In fact, 4.5 million people,

about half of all people eligible for these programs, do not get the help they are due. Many eligible people do not know that these programs exist. Many others do not know how to apply.

If you need help paying for your Medicare, remember - there are programs available to help. If you know anyone on Medicare who needs help paying their health care bills, tell them about these programs. The following Medicare programs are designed to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare pay for their Medicare: One – the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program pays the Medicare Part B premiums, deductibles, and co-payments for people on Medicare whose incomes are below the poverty line - $707 in monthly income for people living alone, and $942 for couples. Two – the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program (SLMB) pays the Medicare Part B premiums for people on Medicare whose incomes are under $844 a month for people living alone and $1126 a month for couples. Finally – there are two new programs, QI-1 and QI-2 that help people with higher incomes pay their Part B premiums. QI-1 may pay your part B premium as long as your state still has funding for the program. People can get QI-1 if their incomes are $947 a month for an individual and $1265 a month for couples. QI-2 is for people with higher incomes, but this program pays only $2.33 each month toward the Part B premium. Asset limits for all of these programs are $4,000 for individuals and $6,000 for couples.

If you are eligible for any of these programs, there is no reason why you should not benefit from the extra money they provide you. If you think you may be eligible for any of these programs, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. The number is listed in the back of the Medicare & You booklet which was sent to people on Medicare. You can also get a copy by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Your Senator or Congressperson should also have staff that can help you.

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