EXTRA
HELP with Medicare Prescription
Drug Plan Costs
THIS FATHER’S DAY, HELP YOUR DAD SAVE $3,600!
By Nancy Berryhill, Social Security Denver Regional Commissioner
Download the Father's Day Medicare Prescription Help Flyer PDF
Descargue el día de padre Medicare Ayuda De la Prescripción PDF
It may be that your father has always been there to provide advice, whether he was showing you how to throw the perfect pitch or cast a fishing line. Maybe he told you how to dress for your job interview or encouraged you to save for financial goals in your life, such as a car, a house and retirement.
Now it’s your turn to give your dad a bit of helpful advice that he can take all the way to the bank. Show him how he can save as much as $3,600 per year on the cost of prescription drugs.
We all know the high cost of medicine can be a burden on fathers who have limited income and resources. But there is extra help — available through Social Security — that could pay part of his monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. The extra help could be worth up of $3,600 per year.
To figure out whether your father is eligible for the extra help, he must be receiving Medicare and also have:
- Income limited to $15,600 for an individual or $21,000 for a married couple living together. Even if his annual income is higher, he still may be able to get some help with monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments. Some examples where income may be higher include if he or his spouse:
- -Support other family members who live with them;
- -Have earnings from work; or
- -Live in Alaska or Hawaii; and
- Resources limited to $11,990 for an individual or $23,970 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks and bonds. We do not count his house and car as resources.
Social Security has an easy-to-use online application that you can help complete for your dad. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov. To apply by phone or have an application mailed to you, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for the Application for Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020). Or go to the nearest Social Security office.
To learn more about the Medicare prescription drug plans and special enrollment periods, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
In Colorado you can also contact our partners at Colorado Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance in filing for Extra Help or choosing a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Their phone numbers are Toll Free: 1 (888) 696-7213 or 1(800) 544-9181 (In State Only), Metro Denver (303) 894-2946 or for TDD/TTY service (303) 894-7880 TDD.
