By Courtney D. Clark
Register-Herald Reporter
BECKLEY — A local center is doing everything it can to be certain Medicare beneficiaries receive the assistance they need.
Teresa Hicks, State Health Insurance Program coordinator at the West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center, says seniors should reapply for benefits, now that changes have been made to Medicare coverage Parts B and D.
“We are trying to make sure people realize things have changed,” Hicks said Friday. “It’s important because people who did not previously qualify for this help may now be able to receive it.”
According to Hicks, Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act in 2008, but changes were made as recently as Jan. 1 to two of the programs.
The programs available are based on gross household income and assets.
Benefits to the programs, Hicks says, are payment of the Medicare Part B premium and help with Part D prescription drug coverage and co-pays.
“The Medicare savings program will actually pay the premium for Part B,” she said.
She says the most significant change that came was the increase of asset limits.
“A lot of people who had very low income may have had some savings or whole life insurance policy with a cash value,” Hicks explained.
“Now that the asset limit has increased, many more will qualify.”
Increased asset limits also benefit Medicare Part D, a Social Security-driven system that helps cover prescription drug costs.
“A lot of extra help that used to count against you will no longer affect your application,” Hicks added.
“And when you think of Medicare, you may automatically think of aged recipients, but remember this assistance is for the disabled, too.”
Hicks said the West Virginia Aging and Disability Resource Center wants to ensure that beneficiaries who may be eligible have an opportunity to be screened for all benefits.
ADRCs are state-funded and sponsored by the West Virginia Bureau of Senior Services. They provide information about all types of financial concerns of seniors.
Hicks also represents the State Health Insurance Program, which is funded by the federal government and provides free, objective and confidential help to West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries and their families through one-on-one counseling and assistance.
Because the center covers at least 13 southern West Virginia counties, Hicks says the application can be completed over the telephone.
“We’re not really finding a whole lot of people reapplying or even calling to suggest they are aware the changes have occurred,” she said Friday. “We are hoping to let people know that have never applied, or previously did, that the programs are there.”
For additional information, call 1-866-598-2372.
— E-mail: cclark@register-herald.com
