Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D Options

The Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) sent out notices around the end of February to individuals who are enrolled in Part C or Part D plans, if the plan has earned less than three stars for three consecutive years during the recent annual enrollment period.  The plans can get ratings between 1 and 5 stars.  5 stars meaning excellent and 1 star being poor.

This notice was to alert beneficiaries to the sponsor or organization’s low rating and to inform enrollees of an opportunity to contact CMS to request a special enrollment period to move into a higher quality plan in 2015.

If you received one of these notices you may want to make a change to another plan. To make a change you should call 1-800-medicare (1-800-633-4227).   If you are having no problems with the plan and want to continue with it you may do so.  If you have questions about this you may call our office at 1-800-392-8771 or locally at 335-3331.

Premium Assistance

Please don’t forget that our office can assist you with applications for assistance paying your Part B, C or D premium if you meet the income guidelines.  If you are single and have monthly income of $1,471 or less and resources (things you own not counting your house and car) of $13,640 or less you would be eligible for assistance paying your premium for Part D.  If you are married the monthly income could be $1,991 or less with resources of $27,250 or less to get help paying the premium for Part D. 

To get help paying the premium for Medicare Part B ($104.90 per month this year) you would need to have monthly income of $1,345 or less as a single person or $1,813 or less as a married couple with resources of $7,280 or less for a single person or $10,930 or less as a married couple.

If you have questions about any of this information or need help applying for the benefits please call my office at 1-800-392-8771 or locally at 335-3331.