119 W. Court St.

Ithaca, NY 14850

                                                                                                    607-273-1511

Up

Health Insurance Information 

We can help you through the mazes of

health insurance, prescription drug programs and Medicare (including Part D) with our HIICAP program , counseling and workshops.

(HIICAP)

HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION COUNSELING AND ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

  Are you struggling with questions like these? . . .

 How do I go about enrolling in Medicare?

When do I have to enroll in a Prescription Drug Program?

What will a Medigap Policy do for me?

Am I eligible for EPIC, the NY state prescription drug program?

Is extra help available to pay for prescription drug costs?

How does Medicaid work with Medicare?

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Review Your Existing Medicare Benefits, Coverage and Costs Now

to Make Sure They Will Continue to Meet Your Needs in 2009

by Sarah Jane Blake

Each year, Medicare health and prescription drug Plans can make changes to their coverage, benefits, and costs. Medicare beneficiaries should decide whether or not they want to continue their current plans based on these changes.  Information from Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the Social Security Administration and the private plans will be mailed directly to beneficiaries.  Medicare beneficiaries can make changes during the Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period from November 15^th through December 31^st every year. CMS provides the following information regarding mailings from them and from the Social Security Administration and health insurance plans themselves.

In October you will receive information from your current Medicare and health insurance plans advising you of any changes for 2009 to formularies (lists of drugs); any changes to benefit designs (what things are covered under your plan) and any changes to premium amounts.  Keep these notices.

You will also receive your Medicare and You 2009 handbook in October.  Keep this handbook for future reference. 

Employer, union and group insurance health plans are required by law to mail out notices in October advising you that your existing prescription drug plan is or is not creditable.  Keep this notice.   

In November, the Social Security Administration will be sending notification about income-related Part B premium adjustments to those individuals affected.  Keep this notice. 

By the end of December Social Security will be mailing notification to all beneficiaries regarding adjustment of benefit payments for 2009. Keep this notice. 

If you would like assistance interpreting these notices and identifying your health insurance options for 2009, contact the Tompkins County Office For the Aging 274-5482 or Lifelong 273-1511 and ask to speak with a HIICAP counselor.  Trained, volunteer HIICAP counselors are available to help you review Medicare, Medigap, New York State Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC), Medicare Savings Program, Low Income Subsidy (also known as Extra Help) assistance with paying for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and many other health insurance issues. 

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HIICAP health counselors at Lifelong (273-1511) and the Tompkins County Office for the Aging (274-5482) can help you find answers to these and similar health insurance questions.  Why not arrange to speak with one of these counselors?  Counseling sessions are private and available by appointment on Wednesdays each month.  Other appointment times may be made by special arrangement. Phone consultations and home visits are also available. 

Bring the following with you to the HIICAP appointment:

1. Complete list of your prescriptions including dosages and frequency;

2. Your Medicare card; and

3. Any other health insurance information, including information about your current Part D plan, if you have one.

HIICAP services are rendered free of charge. 

AND...

Learn more about Medicare Part D information from Cornell University Resource Education

for Medicare – CURxED. Click HERE

For even more information, see the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov.