OTHERS NOT SO LUCKY

The corollary to the previous article follows. Those former Dual eligibles who were active in MassHealth between May 2005 and July 1, 2006, but lost eligibility before that date will not automatically be enrolled in the Medicare D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) for 2007. These folks might still be eligible, but they will need to apply for the subsidy. This subsidy provides assistance with premiums, deductibles and co-pays of varying levels depending on income. See tables below.

Some advocates say the affected seniors may not have understood a letter about the change that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services sent last month. Even beneficiaries aware of the change might have trouble completing the six-page application, they said.

"Just sending these folks a letter and an application doesn't mean they necessarily are going to apply for the extra help even though they may need it," said Marisa Scala-Foley, associate director of the Access to Benefits Coalition at the National Council on Aging. "These folks are going to need a lot of hand-holding."

Kathleen Harrington, director of external affairs for the Medicare agency, said it has provided drug plans and community organizations with information about the affected seniors and encouraged greater outreach. The open enrollment period is Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, and the affected group will have three extra months to switch to a plan with no monthly premium, she said.

"The worst outcome will be someone getting surprised that they have a premium and then dropping their coverage," Harrington said. "We want to do everything we can to keep them in coverage."

- Adapted from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/19/AR2006101901567_pf.html (thanks to Kathy Clair-Hayes for forwarding and to Pragya Rizal for her assistance with this article).

10/06