In the United States, the elderly and disabled populations have access to Medicare, a comprehensive health care system that is offered by the federal government. It is available nationwide directly from the federal government or through private health plans known as Medicare Advantage plans. Both of these options are available in the state of Kentucky. Most requirements and eligibility information is uniform throughout the United States; however, some information that is specific to Kentucky is helpful for the Bluegrass state's citizens to know.
Eligibility
Kentuckians are subject to the same eligibility guidelines as all other Americans. To qualify for Medicare, enrollees must either be 65 years of age or older, disabled or diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. To qualify for premium-free Part A, an enrollee must have worked in the United States at least 10 years, and all Medicare recipients must be legal citizens.
Coverage
Traditional Medicare offers the same coverage nationwide. However, the availability of Medicare private health plans (known as Medicare Advantage plans) or Medigap plans (supplemental insurance) may vary depending on where in Kentucky a beneficiary resides.
Medicare Savings Programs
Kentucky offers a Medicare Savings Program to its low-income population. Medicare Savings Programs help off-set some of the extraneous costs of Medicare, including co-payments, coinsurances, deductibles and premiums.
Medicare Savings Programs are available at three levels. Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB) receive the most assistance and have the strictest income eligibility guidelines. As of 2010, to qualify, an individual cannot have income higher than $903 monthly and a married couple can't have an income higher than $1,215 monthly. Specified low-income Medicare beneficiaries receive less assistance and as of 2010, their income limits were capped at $1,083 monthly for individuals and $1,457 monthly for couples. Finally, there is the Qualifying Individual (QI) Program, which gives the least assistance to individuals who bring in less than $1,219 a month and couples who make less than $1,640 a month.
Enrollment
Kentucky residents can enroll in Medicare during designated enrollment periods. When they first become eligible, they can enroll during their initial enrollment period, which is the seven-month period that surrounds the first month they are eligible for Medicare (the three months before, the month of and the three months following). They can also enroll during the annual coordinated election period (November 15 to December 31) and the open enrollment period (January 1 to March 31).
Kentuckians who are enrolled in Kentucky's Medicare Savings Programs can qualify for a special enrollment period once a month.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Kentuckians who have questions about Medicare can receive counseling from volunteers and professionals from their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIP offers telephone and in-person counseling. They can help people with applying to any low-income programs, picking out Medicare Advantage, Part D plans or Medigaps, and any other issue pertaining to better understanding Medicare. The Kentucky SHIP can be reached at 877-293-7447.
Tags: Medicare Savings, Medicare Savings Programs, Savings Programs, enrollment period, Medicare Advantage
