MaineCare Cuts to Medicare Savings Program and Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled

Effective March 1, 2013, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is reducing the income limits for several MaineCare programs. Our clients are most affected by the changes to the Medicare Buy-In (also called the Medicare Savings Program) and to Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled (DEL). These programs are unique as they do not have asset limits associated with them, and these benefits are subject to Medicaid estate recovery after the death of the recipient.

DHHS has been paying the Medicare Part B premium (currently $104.90) for Qualified Individuals (QIs) who are not covered by Medicaid and whose income is less than 185% of the FPL (Federal Poverty Level). That income limit is dropping to 175%. The income limit for DEL is also dropping to 175%. The income limit for these two programs is now $1,677 for a family of one and $2,263 for a family of two.

DHHS has been paying the Medicare Part B premium for Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs) who received Medicaid and whos income is less than 170% of the FPL. That income limit is dropping to 160%. DHHS has been paying the Medicare Part A and/or B premiums as well as the Medicare Part A and B deductibles and coinsurances for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs) whose income is less than 150%. That income limit is dropping to 140%.

For more details, here is a link to Adopted DHHS Rulemaking: http://maine.gov/dhhs/ofi/rules/adopted.shtml

Governor LePage’s Supplemental Budget proposes total elimination of the DEL program. The Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging is monitoring this proposal.

Read more at: http://www.maine4a.org/feed.php?num=1&feed_id=41&news_id=137.