Massachusetts
The purpose of this document is to provide resources for gathering more
information regarding Medicare Part D in your state. This listing supplies
contact information for state and federal agencies working on issues relating
to the Medicare prescription drug benefit. It also includes information
about groups with which MHAs may partner to conduct outreach and education
activities.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
- The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit is administered
by CMS within the Department of Health and Human Services. The CMS
Region I Office
serving Massachusetts is located in Boston. For inquiries regarding
the CMS Medicare Prescription Drug Education Campaign, contact:
- Medicare beneficiaries can also visit the official government website,
www.medicare.gov, for additional information, including
billing, appeals and enrollment. For general Medicare information,
as well as information
about health plans, contact the 24-hour toll-free hotline
at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Social Security Administration (SSA):
- The Social Security Administration helps individuals determine
whether or not they qualify and how to apply for benefits, including Extra
Help
for the prescription drug benefit. SSA maintains a toll-free number,
1-800-772-1213, twenty-four hours a day.
- The Northeastern Program Service Center is located in Boston. Its website
is http://www.ssa.gov/boston/index.htm.
-
Further contact information, including addresses, for SSA’s local
Massachusetts offices can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/boston/MA.htm.
- Individuals are also able to search for local Social Security Administration
offices through a zip code locator at: http://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html.
State Medicaid Agency:
- To obtain information regarding Medicaid enrollment, eligibility
and coverage information for those residing in Massachusetts, contact
MassHealth
at:
1-800-841-2900
http://www.mass.gov/dma
State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs):
- Additional prescription drug benefits may be offered through
a State Pharmacy Assistance Program.
Access, Eligibility and Contact Information:
- Prescription Advantage Plan provides benefits to individuals who are
aged 65 or older as well as younger individuals with disabilities who meet income
and
employment guidelines. There is no upper income limit and no premiums or
deductibles under 188% of FPL. There is a sliding scale premium and deductible
subsidy
up to 500% FPL. The Plan utilizes a formulary with co-payments.
The program is operational but enrollment is now closed.
1-800-243-4636
Legislative Issues
- House Bill 4200, enacted during the 2005 session, provides for coordination
and wraparound benefits for current MA Prescription Advantage enrollees,
including mandating enrollment in a Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage
plan and
application for federal low-income subsidy if eligible. It requires
the program to “provide supplemental assistance for premiums, deductibles,
payments, and co-payments” instead of state-based insurance. 1
Access to Benefits Coalition (ABC):
- ABC coalitions work to help Medicare beneficiaries locate and
apply for additional assistance in paying for prescription drugs. They
also aid individuals
in enrolling in both public and private prescription savings programs.
www.accesstobenefits.org
- There are two regional coalitions serving
Massachusetts:
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):
-
SHIPs offer free counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries
and their families. In addition, SHIPs will be planning Medicare Part D
enrollment and education events throughout each state. The National Network
website is https://www.shiptalk.org. You may find information about Massachusetts’s
SHIP below or at the national website.
- Massachusetts State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), also
referred to as Serving Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE),
located within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elders Affairs, provides
assistance
to seniors through 20 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). It can be contacted
at:
800-872-0166
www.800ageinfo.com
- A county contact listing of AAAs is offered on the website:
http://www.800ageinfo.com/map/
- National Conference of State Legislatures (June 14, 2005). 2005 Prescription
Drug State Legislation, Mid-year Edition: updated June 14, 2005. NCSL Health
Program. Available at http://www.ncsl.org/programs/health/drugdisc05.htm.
www.nmha.org/medicare
For more information or questions, please email schrinfo@nmha.org or
call 1-800-969-6642
|
