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Illinois Medicare Program
Mar 01, 2010
Illinois Medicare Program
Illinois State Programs for Medicare
Many states have programs to assist people with Medicare costs. These programs include the Extra Help Program through Social Security, Medicare Savings Programs, and in some states, state pharmaceutical assistance programs. Check with your state if they have additional programs to help with Medicare or health care related costs.
Medicare Part D Assistance
Extra Help Program
The Extra Help Program, also know as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) under Social Security can help pay Part D costs. This program is available to people across the nation with limited income and resources. Both income and resources are counted for eligibility. Extra Help can help pay for plan premium, deductible, co-pays, and assistance through the donut hole. Medications typically cost between $1-6 or 15% co-insurance depending on the level of assistance you qualify for and if the medication is brand or generic.
- May submit applications in several ways:
- Mail application
- Bring scannable paper application to SSA office
- Directly through Social Security’s web site www.socialsecurity.gov
- Through www.benefitscheckup.org (goes directly to SSA)
Illinois Cares Rx
Illinois Cares Rx is a state pharmaceutical assistance program for Illinois residents who are 65 or older, or people 16 or older with a qualifying disability. This program is based on a person’s annual income, resources are not counted toward eligibility. This program can help with the Part D costs such as the monthly premium, deductible, co-pays, and donut hole. There are two programs within Illinois Cares Rx that help with prescription drug costs, Basic and Plus. Depending upon the program a person qualifies for, co-pays can range from $2.40 to $15 for covered drugs. During the donut hole, Illinois Cares Rx members only pay 20% plus the co-pay for covered drugs. Additional benefits can include Circuit Breaker property tax or rent grant, license plate discount, and free rides on all fixed-route regularly scheduled buses, trains, and public transit systems in Illinois for people with a disability under age 65.
Go to http://www.cbrx.il.gov/ to apply. Or call 1-800-252-8966 to have the application mailed to you or to find a local office that can help you apply. Online applications are processed faster than paper applications.
Medicare Part A and Part B costs assistance program
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs help pay for your Part A and/or Part B premiums, deductibles, and/or copayments. To qualify for Medicare Savings Programs you need to have Medicare Part A and limited income and resources. These programs can help people with Medicare save money each year. Call or visit the state Medicaid office or local social service agency for more information.
