The State of Connecticut offers a Medicare Savings Program to the elderly and disabled. There are three different levels to the program. The three programs are referred to as the QMB, SLMB and ALMB programs. Each of these programs pays for your Medicare premiums that automatically come out of your monthly Social Security check. If you fall into the QMB income guidelines, your payment of the Medicare Part A and Part B monthly premiums will be paid for by the State of Connecticut as well as payment of co-insurance and deductible amounts for services covered under both Medicare Parts A and B.
If you have Medicare, you pay $104.00 each month for your Part B coverage (doctor bills, lab tests, x-rays, etc.) This premium is automatically deducted from your Social Security check each month so you may not even realize you are paying it. If you quality for any of the three Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, ALMB), the State of Connecticut will pay your Park B monthly premium for you. Your social security check will increase by $104.00 per month. To be eligible, you must complete a very simply application form and meet the income guidelines set by the State of Connecticut. Income considered includes: pension, social security, rental income, Supplemental Security Income, wages, disability benefits, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation, interest, dividends, alimony and child support.
Each of these three savings plans has their own income guidelines. Generally, if your monthly income is at or below $1778.91 for a single person or $2393.55 for a couple, you may qualify for the QMB Savings Program. If your monthly income is between $1959.51 for a single person and $2636.55 for a couple, you may be eligible for the SLMB Savings Program. If your monthly income is between $2091.67 for a single person and $2816.67 for a couple, you may be elibible for the ALMB savings program. All three of these programs will pay for your monthly deductible for Medicare that comes out of your social security check. The QMB Savings Program pays for some additional deductibles and amounts that you might incur. These are three great programs. Who couldn't use an additional $104.00 in their Social Security checks!
Add up your monthly income. If you are within any of these three income levels, stop in at the Senior Center and pick up the application form. Once again, the application form is very simple to fill out. The program does not take into consideration any assets you may have such as checking and savings accounts, CD's, IRA's, stocks, bonds, etc. Upon your death the money WILL NOT be recouped from your estate.
For more information visit the State of Connecticut's Department of Social Services website and Applications for Download are also available on their site.
The per person Medicare insurance premiums are scheduled to increase from the present monthly fee of $96.40. In 2012, the monthly premium will be $104.20. It will rise again in 2013 to $120.00. By 2014, it is scheduled to rise to $247.00 per month. Unless you sign up and qualify for the above mentioned MSP (Medicare Savings Program), these premiums will automatically be deducted from your monthly Social Security check. These changes were all included in the Obamacare legislation. If you want to save yourself some money, it is very important that you look into this program to see if you meet the income eligibility requirements.
The Prospect VFW and also Sharon Hospital are two organizations that accept used medical equipment in good condition to loan out to those in need. The Prospect VFW is located at 218 Cheshire Road in Prospect, 203-758-4763. Sharon Hospital is located at 50 Hospital Hill Road in Sharon, 860-364-4493.
If you have equipment such as wheel chairs, scooters, walkers, commodes, etc. and would like to donate them, you can call either of these two organizations. Also, if you are in need of any medical equipment, you can also call and see if there are any available. Supplies vary daily.