Maryland
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 III Office
serving Maryland is located in Philadelphia. 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:
-
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 mid-Atlantic regional Social Security Center is located in Philadelphia.
Its website is http://www.ssa.gov/phila/index.htm
-
Further contact information, including addresses, for SSA’s local
Maryland offices can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/phila/states/maryland.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 Maryland, contact the Department
of Human Resources, Family Investment Administration at:
1-800-332-6347 (DHR Constituent Services Unit)
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/fia/medicaid.htm
To find Maryland’s local Departments of Social Services where
eligibility is determined and applications can be completed go to:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/county.htm
State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs):
- Additional prescription drug benefits may be offered through
a State Pharmacy Assistance Program.
Access, Eligibility and Contact Information:
- The Maryland Pharmacy
Assistance Program is for individuals with monthly incomes below
$926 if single and $1,070 for couples. Individuals
also must have assets less than $4,000 and couples cannot have more than $6,000
in
assets. There is no age limit on the program and disabled individuals
are eligible. Beneficiaries pay $2.50 for all generic products and some brand
name drugs. Certain prescriptions will be $7.50.
1-800-226-2142
http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mpap/
- The Senior Prescription Drug Program, administered by CareFirst, BlueCross
BlueShield, provides benefits for individuals who are 65 and older or are
Medicare eligible. Annual income must be below 300% of the federal poverty level
($27,930
for single individuals and $37,490 for married individuals). The program
is three-tiered, with generic drugs costing $10, preferred brand-name drugs costing
$20 and non-preferred prescriptions costing $35. There is a $1,100 annual
benefit
limit.
1-800-972-46124
http://www.seniordrugprogram.com/
- •
The Maryland Pharmacy Discount Program is for those who receive Medicare and
have monthly incomes below $1,396 for individuals and $1,872 for couples. Disabled
individuals are also eligible. Recipients pay 65% of the state’s
reduced cost in addition to a $1 processing fee.
1-800-226-2142
http://www.dhmh.state.md.us/mma/mpap/
Legislative Issues:
•
Governor Ehrlich signed into law House Bill 324 on May 10, 2005. The bill establishes
the Medicare Options Prescription Drug program which provides advice and assistance
to low-income Medicare eligible individuals. Dually-eligible individuals, as
well as those living under 150% of the federal poverty line will be automatically
enrolled. The program “may pay all or part of the premiums, deductibles,
coinsurance payments and copayments required under Medicare Part D.”1
• On the same date, the Governor also signed Senate Bill 282 which alters
the eligibility requirements of the renamed Senior Prescription Drug Assistance
Program. The program will cover Medicare eligibles with incomes of up to
300%
of the federal poverty level as well as providing wraparound state subsidies
for Medicare premiums and deductibles. 2
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 is one coalition serving Maryland:
-
Lead Agency: Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education – CARE.
Lead contact: Thelma Winn, Division Chief, Advocacy Services at 410-396-4932
or Thelma.Winn@baltimorecity.gov
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 Maryland’s
SHIP below or at the national website.
-
The Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is within the Maryland
Department of Aging’s Client and Community Services Division.
Counseling services are provided through the nineteen Area Agencies
on Aging (AAAs).
1-800-243-3425
www.mdoa.state.md.us/Services/ship.html
- 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.
- Ibid
www.nmha.org/medicare
For more information or questions, please email schrinfo@nmha.org or
call 1-800-969-6642
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