Can I get help paying my MediCARE premium?

Do you need help paying your Medicare premium or deductibles?

You might qualify for a program called Qualified MediCARE Beneficiary.  This program:

• Pays your MediCARE premium ($96.50 or $110.50 for most people in 2010, $115.40 for most people enrolling in 2011).
• Pays the $1,132 hospital bill MediCARE doesn’t pay.
• Takes care of the part of each doctor bill that MediCARE doesn’t pay (deductible and co-insurance).

Who qualifies?  You qualify if you can answer “yes” to all three questions:

1. Do you have MediCARE or are you age 65 or older?
2. Is your total monthly income $923 or less for a 1 person family or $1,235 or less for a husband and wife together? QMB counts all of your Social Security before money is taken out for your MediCARE. But, QMB counts only half of your work income (up to $9,910 for husband and wife together)
3. Do you have less than $6,600 in savings? ($9,910 for a husband and wife living together)

Even if you think your income is too high, you should apply.  You might qualify for another program like SLMB or QI1 that will help pay your MediCARE premium.

How do you apply?  You apply at DHS.  To find your local office, visit http://tiny.cc/TNDHS.

For a printable flyer with this information, download Legal Aid’s flyer.