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New Twist In Medicare
Law
By
Delia De Mello |
 If
you’ve been thinking about applying for extra help with your
Medicare prescription drug costs, then now’s the time to get
on the dance floor and hop to it.
Chubby Checker, the Grammy Award winning rock and roll
legend most known for his hit, “The Twist,” has teamed up
with Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, to
tell people about a new “twist” in the law. The change in
the law makes it easier for people with Medicare to qualify
for extra help with their prescription drug costs.
“The changes in the Medicare law will allow hundreds of
thousands of Americans who are struggling to pay their
prescription drug costs to get extra help during these tough
economic times,” said Commissioner Astrue. “I am thrilled
that Chubby Checker has volunteered to help us spread this
important message through a new television, radio and
Internet spot as well as pamphlets and posters.”
“Listen up, America! For 50 years, people of all ages and
backgrounds have danced the Twist,” Chubby Checker said.
“Now it’s important everyone learn about this new twist in
the law. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov.”
There are income and resource limits a person needs to meet
to qualify for the extra help. But the new Medicare law
eases those requirements in two ways:
• The cash value of life insurance no longer counts as a
resource.
• Assistance people receive from others to pay for household
expenses, such as food, rent, mortgage, or utilities, no
longer counts as income.
A bonus “twist” is that the application you file for extra
help can now start the application process for Medicare
Savings Programs as well — state programs that provide help
with other Medicare costs. These programs help pay Medicare
Part B (medical insurance) premiums. For some people, the
Medicare Savings Programs also pay Medicare Part A (hospital
insurance) premiums, if any, and Part A and B deductibles
and co-payments.
To learn more about the extra help program and to view the
new television spot featuring Chubby Checker, visit Social
Security online at www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp
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About The Author
Delia M.
De Mello has been with the Social Security Administration
since 1986. She was recently promoted to Metropolitan Public
Affairs Specialist and a member of the Office of
Communication’s Multi Language Review team, which translates
and reviews SSA publications in all spoken languages. For
more information, please call (800) 772-1213 or visit
www.socialsecurity.gov.
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