The Basics About Extra Help
If you have limited income and resources, the State and Federal governments offer programs that may assist Medicare beneficiaries' medical costs.
What Kind of Help is Available?
- Medicaid/Medicare Savings Programs – This joint state and federal program helps Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources pay for health care; including your Medicare premium(s), deductibles and coinsurance. Also, Medicaid recipients are automatically granted Extra Help (LIS) by the Federal government. For information about Medicaid, call the Department of Children and Families at 1-866-76-ACCESS or 1-866-762-2237; TTY users should call 711 or you may apply online at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida.
- Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) – A combination of medical, social, and long-term care services available only in states that choose to offer it under Medicaid. Eligibility requirements vary from state to state. For details, contact your state Medical Assistance office.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits – Help for people who are disabled, blind, or over age 65 and have limited financial resources. SSI is NOT the same as Social Security benefits. For more information, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), or contact your local Social Security office. You can also use the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) on the Social Security Website to find out if you're eligible.
- Low Income Subsidy (LIS) – Medicare beneficiaries with limited income may qualify for extra help to pay for their prescription drug costs. Many Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for these savings and don't know it. For more information about extra help, contact your local Social Security office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also contact Medicaid to inquiry about LIS status or level through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) ACCESS Florida Partner Website at www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.The phone number is 1-866-762-2237, TTY users should call 1-800-955-8771 or 1-800-955-8770.
Extra Help/ LIS Premium Summary
The purpose of these documents is to inform beneficiaries of what their plan premium, if any, will be once they are eligible with CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. and qualify to receive the extra help/ Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). Please click the link below to access the LIS Premium Summary information for the corresponding calendar year.
How Do I Get Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs?
- Some people qualify for assistance with Medicare costs automatically because they participate in Medicare and other programs, such as Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and Social Security Income (SSI) benefits. The government has already contacted these Medicare beneficiaries about getting extra help, but they still need to choose a Prescription Drug Plan.
- Millions of others qualify because of limited income and resources, but they need to apply. The Social Security Administration is accepting applications by mail and on their Website at www.ssa.gov.
- Applying for extra help is NOT the same as joining a Prescription Drug Plan. Whether you qualify for extra help or not, you must also enroll in a plan to get prescription drug coverage.
The CarePlus Social Services department can provide you further information and/or assistance with the application process of the State/Federal programs. If you are interested in receiving assistance or if you have questions and would like additional information, please contact CarePlus Member Services department. We are open 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From February 15 until the following Annual Election period (AEP), you may leave us a voice mail message after-hours, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, and we will return your call the next business day.