Time to consider Medicare drug plan

If you search on the Web for "things to do before the end of the year," you will come up with about 165 million results. That's a lot to get done before Dec. 31. So you might want to limit your search.

How about just go to www.medicare.gov and see if you need to make any changes to your Medicare prescription drug plan?

Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, and current beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D plan, should be considering their options right now. The "open season" will run from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31.

The Medicare Part D prescription drug program is available to all Medicare beneficiaries to help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage.

While all Medicare beneficiaries can participate in the prescription drug program, some people with limited income and resources also are eligible for "extra help" to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help is worth an average of $3,900 per year.

To figure out whether you are eligible for the extra help, Social Security needs to know your income and the value of any savings, investments and real estate (other than the home you live in). To qualify, you must be receiving Medicare and also have:

* Income limited to $16,245 for an individual or $21,855 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still might be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where your income might be higher include if you or your spouse support other family members who live with you, have earnings from work live in Alaska or Hawaii.

* Resources limited to $12,510 for an individual or $25,010 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count your house or car as resources.

You can complete an easy-to-use online application for the extra help at www.socialsecurity.gov. Click on Medicare on the top right side of the page. Then click on "Apply for help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs." To apply for the extra help by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 or TTY (800) 325-0778, and ask for the Application for help with medicare prescription drug plan costs (SSA-1020). Or come to the Social Security office at 1212 E. 27th. You can also reach the local office by calling (785) 625-3496.

So as you make your end of the year preparations, don't forget that Dec. 31 is the last day you can make changes to your Medicare Part D plan. And if you would like more information about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program itself, visit www.medicare.gov or call (800) 633-4227 or TTY (877) 486-2048.

Questions for this column should be mailed to "Social Security Matters" Attn: James Feyerherm, 1212 E 27 St, Hays KS 67601. All names will be held confidential. Other questions should be directed to 1-800-772-1213 or call or visit your local Social Security office. You can also access SSA online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

James Feyerherm is district manager of the Hays Social Security office.