Perspective
1999 Medicare RatesIf you don't already know, your Medicare costs are rising in 1999. The 1999 Part B premium will increase by $1.70 a month to a total monthly premium of $45.50. The Part A deductible for inpatient hospital care will rise by four dollars, to $768.
Although these increases may seem small, the out-of-pocket costs for people on Medicare add up. The average person on Medicare pays out-of-pocket over $2,500 each year for their health care.
If you need help paying your Medicare premiums and deductibles, it is important to know about special programs that can help offset these costs. The following Medicare programs are designed to help low-income seniors and people with disabilities on 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 - $691 in monthly income for people living alone, and $925 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 $825 a month for people living alone and $1105 a month for couples. The income levels for these programs may change slightly in February or March when the new poverty levels are determined. Finally - there are two new programs, QI-1 and QI-2 that help people with slightly higher incomes pay their Part B premiums. 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 Medicaid office, which can help you apply. You can also call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP, the new name for the State Insurance Counseling and Assistance program. The number is listed in the back of the Medicare & You booklet which was recently sent to people on Medicare.
_________________________________