DCH Corner – Get Help to Pay Your Medicare Costs

Many Iowans, especially those living on a fixed income, may be in need of help paying for their Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and drug costs.  The Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help programs can offer assistance to Iowans in need.

“SHIIP is available to help Iowans participate in these programs which could offer a lot of savings for Iowans,” says Kris Gross from the State of Iowa’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP).

The Medicare Savings Program is a state program that helps pay for Medicare premiums, deductible and coinsurances.  There are three Medicare Savings Programs available to those that qualify. Individuals income and assets will determine what assistance they may receive. At a minimum, those who qualify will get their Part B premium paid, which could save them as much as $134 a month.

Iowans may qualify for one of the three Medicare Savings Programs if their income is below $1,376.75 (single) or $1,847 (couple) and their assets are less than $7,390 (single) or $11,090 (couple).  Call Decatur County Hospital at 641-446-4871 for more information, or call SHIIP for help applying at 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 800-735-2942).

The Extra Help program assists with Medicare Part D drug costs.  Iowans that qualify may get help paying their Part D premium, deductible and co-payments.  For Iowans that qualify for Extra Help there is no “donut hole” in the Medicare Part D coverage.

Iowans may qualify for the Extra Help program if their income is below $1,527.50 (single) or $2,050 (couple) and their assets are less than $13,820 (single) or $27,600 (couple).  Call Decatur County Hospital at 641-446-4871 for more information, or call SHIIP for help applying at 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 800-735-2942).

Iowans with questions about Medicare may call SHIIP at 800-351-4664 (TTY 800-735-2942) or visit www.therightcalliowa.gov.  SHIIP counselors are available in communities across Iowa and are available to help answer questions and assist with problems Iowans have concerning Medicare and related health insurance.  SHIIP is a service of the State of Iowa Insurance Division.  All services are free, confidential and objective.

Contact us today to learn more about the SHIIP program and how it can help you pay your medical bills. To learn more about Decatur County Hospital and our available services, please visit www.www.decaturcountyhospital.org, or follow us on Facebook @DecaturCountyHospitalIowa. And don’t forget that we want to hear from you! Email us at serb@d-c-h.org if you have a topic or question you would like us to cover in one of our DCH Corner articles.