Drug benefit expanded to 1 million more seniors

[babylonsister]

Drug benefit expanded to 1 million more seniors

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER
Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON (AP) -- In case the prospect of nearly $4,000 in prescription assistance isn't enough to perk up low-income seniors, the government is using '60s singer Chubby Checker to publicize "the twist" in the Medicare drug program.

As of Jan. 1, more than 1 million low-income seniors are newly eligible for more generous prescription drug benefits under the "extra help" program. Benefiting from a new law are those with life insurance policies and those who regularly get money from relatives to help pay household expenses but were previously disqualified because of too many assets or too much income.

"The safety net is frayed and this is a way to start stitching it back together again," said Hilary Dalin, associate director for benefits at the National Council on Aging.

Income limits are $16,245 a year for singles and $21,855 for married couples living together. Assets such as stocks, bonds and bank accounts must be limited to $12,510 for singles and $25,010 for married couples. The value of homes and automobiles are excluded.

Under the old law, applicants had to include the value of life insurance policies in calculating their assets. They also had to include as part of their income money received on a regular basis from relatives and friends to help pay household expenses.

As of Jan. 1, life insurance policies are no longer counted as assets and money received to help pay household expenses is not counted as income.

Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue urged seniors who were rejected for the program in the past to reapply.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MEDICARE_TWIST?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[tandot]

1. K & R

[jtrockville]

2. How about we negotiate reasonable prices?

Instead of paying extortion rates to BIG PHARMA?

I'm happy to help those less fortunate than me, but I'm downright sick and tired of helping those who are WAY MORE fortunate than me.