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Health & Fitness

Program Helps Low Income Seniors Cut Prescription Drug Costs

Prescription costs can be a major source of financial stress for seniors. In fact, cost is the number one reason why older adults don't fill prescriptions--putting them at risk for a potential health crisis and even bigger medical expenses. A benefit is available that can help reduce these costs for Medicare recipients who have limited income and resources. Unfortunately, many people who are eligible for the program don't know they qualify and don't apply.

Could You or Your Loved One Be Eligible?
Approximately 15,000 Medicare beneficiaries in southeast Michigan are eligible to receive this benefit, which is called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and is  available through Medicare Part D. A couple with assets of $26,860 or less and an annual income of less than $23,265 may qualify for the program. For a single person, assets would need to total $13,440 or less and qualifying income would be $17,235 or less. One big factor to keep in mind is that your primary residence and car would not be counted when calculating your assets.

AAA 1-B Can Help You Find Out
The AAAA 1-B's Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is holding counseling sessions, both by phone and in person, to help people to determine if they qualify for the program and get them enrolled if they do.

Phone Counseling
Counseling by phone is available at (800) 803-7174. Trained counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In-Person Assistance
In-person Assistance Days are also being held throughout the spring at locations across the AAA 1-B service area. Trained counselors will be on hand to help Medicare recipients determine if they are eligible and enroll in the program. Please visit the AAA 1-B website to get the dates, times and locations of assistance days being held in your area and learn more about the program. Assistance is free, but advance registration is required. To register and find out more, please call the MMAP program at (800) 803-7174.
 





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