Disability Linkage Line (DLL)
provides free, statewide, disability-related information and assistance.
DLL’s
information specialists make it easier for people to explore available
options, choose services, and successfully connect to those services.
The Disability Linkage
Line, in partnership with the Senior Linkage Line, has helped thousands
of people transition to the new Medicare Prescription Drug Program.
Now it’s time to
review your coverage for 2007 to make sure you are in the plan that
best meets your needs, and to see if you will continue to receive
the extra help with prescription costs.
Medicare Prescription Drug
Plans are Changing for 2007
Everyone enrolled in a plan
will receive an Annual Notice of Change from their current plan.
Read this information carefully. Look for changes in costs, benefits
and drugs that are covered. Just because your plan was the best plan
for you in 2006 does not necessarily mean it is still the best plan
for you in 2007. If nothing changed and you’re satisfied with your current plan,
you do not need to do anything to stay in the plan.
If you want to change your plan, open enrollment begins November 15,
2006, and ends December 31, 2006. People who are on both Medicare and
Medical Assistance can enroll and change plans beyond December 31,
2006. Medicare is encouraging people to make all plan changes by December
8, 2006, to avoid any delays with plan coverage becoming effective
on January 1, 2007.
People who are getting
Extra Help for the Medicare prescription drug costs, and do not
want to pay any plan premium, need to choose a plan that is a “benchmark
plan.” In
2007, there will be sixteen benchmark plans. Keep in mind, there
are five plans that were benchmark plans in 2006 that will NOT be
benchmark plans in 2007. You should research all plan options and
find the best plan to cover your drug needs. To compare plans, you
can go online at www.medicare.gov, or call the DLL list at bottom
of page.
Review Your Extra Help with
Prescription Drug Costs
People who automatically
qualified for Extra Help in 2006 were Medicare enrollees who were
in at least one of the following programs: Medical Assistance (MA),
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI-1) and Supplemental Security
Income (SSI). If you are no longer in one of these programs, you
will not automatically qualify for extra help in 2007. You will
need to reapply for Extra Help with Social Security to see if you
still qualify based on your income and resources. You can fill
out the paper application mailed to you, or you can expedite the
process by filling out the application online. To apply online
go to on www.ssa.gov and click on the left-hand tool bar—“Apply
Here For Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs.”
With all these changes for 2007, enrollees should receive a combination
of notices from plans, Medicare or Social Security. However, some people
who will no longer qualify for Extra Help in 2007 will not receive
a notice telling them so. This group includes people who automatically
qualified for Extra Help in 2006, were auto assigned to a plan by Medicare
but chose to enroll in another plan on their own. If you have any doubt
whether this situation applies to you, call the Disability Linkage
Line. The Disability Linkage Line can help you find out if you need
to fill out an application for Extra Help in 2007.
This article only highlights a few of the 2007 changes with the Medicare
Prescription Drug Benefit. ![]()
FFI: Disability Linkage Line, 866-333-2466 from 8:00
a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
