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Medicare Information and Resources Page
The Medicare Part D prescription drug program will start providing expanded benefits in January, 2006. Although beneficiaries cannot access the benefit until this date, outreach and education has begun. Catholic Charities agencies can play a major role in education and outreach, particularly targeting low income individuals who may qualify for subsidies to offset premium and co-pay costs. This new drug benefit will require beneficiaries to apply and select a private plan.
There are many resources available to assist you in supporting staff and clients to understand the benefit. Listed below are several resources which should support you in your outreach efforts.
- Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Tool Kit for Faith Based Organizations, 2006 (zip, 1Mb)
- The SSA Application (pdf, 507 Kb)
- Quick Facts for people with limited Income & Resources
- Medicare Rx and Nursing Homes (pdf, 22 Kb)
- CMS Resources (word, 68 Kb)
- Resources from the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid:
- Notices to Deemed Eligible Beneficiaries for Limited Income Subsidy and the Social Security Administration Application for Beneficiaries who May Qualify for Limited Income Subsidy
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted on its website copies of the model letters that will be mailed to deemed eligible beneficiaries who will be automatically eligible for the limited-income subsidy for the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit.
CMS will begin to mail the “Important Information from Medicare about Paying for Prescription Drugs” notice to all people with Medicare who are automatically eligible to receive extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan. Seven million people who have Medicaid and Medicare or are in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) will receive this notice, along with 400,000 people who have Medicare and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
There are three versions of this notice: one for people with Medicare and Medicaid, one for people in a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), and one for beneficiaries who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Copies of the notices can be found below and are available online at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/lir.asp. Please note that the introductory page of each of these documents is the same and will not be sent to beneficiaries.
- Outreach Materials
- Outreach Tookit: This Outreach Toolkit is designed to equip partner organizations with the materials needed to provide clear, accurate information and assistance to their clients on the Medicare prescription drug coverage. The toolkit is developed with basic, straightforward information that can be easily conveyed to beneficiaries.
- Information Folder: For those who want an overview and minimal approach to this information, we have an "Information Folder" containing key messages, fact sheets, information resources, and a cd. To receive this folder, email BSPGtraining@cms.hhs.gov with your request for these folders.
- Publications
- Preferred Terms List: Also to keep our messages standard, we regularly update the preferred terms list. This list can be accessed here.
- SSA Materials Online
The Social Security Administration had created a website specifically for agencies and other organizations to assist in providing information to Medicare beneficiaries about the Extra Help available for persons applying for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage.
This website now contains a Powerpoint presentation and a Medicare Program Orientation Manual which can be downloaded for use in training employees and volunteers, as well as fact sheets, worksheets, and posters. The website is: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/organizations/medicareoutreach2
- National advocacy organizations active in Medicare education:
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