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| Community Leaders Can Help Seniors and Families, Says Wilson |
August 26, 2005 |
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| Seniors Should Complete and Return Social Security Drug Help Form
Albuquerque, NM — Congresswoman Heather Wilson today hosted a forum with experts from the Social Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare Services to give community leaders information about the prescription drug benefit soon to be available through Medicare. Wilson also stresses that seniors should fill out and return a form they may have received from Social Security. The form, sent in recent weeks to some seniors, will help determine if they qualify for additional drug assistance because of their income and resource level.
Wilson brought in experts to discuss the prescription drug benefit with local leaders and major employers with the hope that they, in turn, will help families and seniors in their community.
“We made a promise to seniors to give them help with the cost of prescription drugs,” says Congresswoman Heather Wilson. “We all need to learn more about how this benefit works so that we can help our parents, our grandparents, our neighbors. As leaders in our community, we can help seniors make the choices that will soon be available to them.”
Wilson also says that seniors should check their mailbox for an application from Social Security for extra help paying for prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration mailed forms to people they identified as likely to qualify for extra help, but report that the return rate in New Mexico is currently less than 20%. That figure concerns Wilson, who encourages seniors to return the form as soon as possible.
“The Social Security Administration identified people who probably qualify for the extra help,” says Rep. Wilson. “So it’s critical that seniors fill the application out and return it. There’s no reason not to. The application is a starting point only. It’s non-binding, and serves only to identify who might qualify for extra help with the cost of their medicines. I would encourage any senior who has received this form in the mail to fill it out quickly and get it back. It can only help you.”
The president of a South Valley neighborhood association says he’s going to do everything he can to get the word out about what seniors need to do to maximize their drug benefit through Medicare, including completing the Social Security Administration Application form.
“I encourage seniors to fill out the Social Security form because there’s no downside to filling it out,” says Orlando Olivas, President of Conita Rael Neighborhood Association, and a community activist who says he’ll help get information to his friends, neighbors, and family members. “In fact, it can only help you with the cost of your prescription drugs.”
Representatives of Comcast Cable say they will help educate their employees and customers by distributing information in their employee newsletter and in their customer care lobby. Wilson hopes other major New Mexico employers will make similar commitments, and says her staff will conduct an outreach campaign to get information to employers.
Seniors who think they may qualify for extra help but do not have an application can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. Seniors and community members can also call Rep. Wilson’s office at 505-346-6781 for more information or assistance.
Extra Medicine Help For Those With Limited Income and Resources
If you are single and your annual income is below $14,355 ($19,245 if married), you may qualify for extra help. Slightly higher income levels may qualify if you provide support to other family members living with you.
You can apply for this extra help through the Social Security Administration. Social Security is also mailing applications to those who may qualify. If you receive an application in the mail, fill it out and return it. The application is non-binding and serves only to determine your eligibility for extra help.
The amount of help depends on your income and resources.
You still need to join a Medicare prescription drug plan for Medicare to pay for your drug costs.
You can join a Medicare prescription drug plan beginning November 15, 2005 through May 15, 2006. If you join by December 31, 2005, your coverage begins January 1, 2006. If you join later, your coverage begins on the first day of the following month.
If you qualify for extra help, you will have continuous drug coverage and will pay only a small amount for your prescription drugs.
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