Texas
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 VI Office
serving Texas is located in Dallas. 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 regional center serving the Southwest is located in Dallas. Its website
is http://www.ssa.gov/dallas/index.htm.
-
Further contact information, including addresses, for SSA’s local
Texas offices can be found at http://www.ssa.gov/dallas/state_tx.html.
- 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 Texas, contact the Health & Human
Services Commission at:
211 or 1-800-252-8263 (Client Hotline)
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/
State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAPs):
- Additional prescription drug benefits may be offered through
a State Pharmacy Assistance Program.
Access, Eligibility and Contact Information:
- The State Prescription Drug Program was signed into law in June 2001
and was to take effect on September 1, 2001. However, due to lack
of funds, the program was postponed. The measure would have extended prescription
drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, dual-eligible individuals
and disabled
individuals.
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 three coalitions in Texas:
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
Texas’ SHIP
below or at the national website.
- The Health Information Counseling
and Advocacy Program (HICAP) is administered by the Texas Department
of Aging and Disability Services. HICAP works
through twenty-eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) throughout the state. The Department
of Insurance provides training and resources. It can be reached at:
1-800-252-9240
www.dads.state.tx.us
www.nmha.org/medicare
For more information or questions, please email schrinfo@nmha.org or
call 1-800-969-6642
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