Maryland Medicare
Medicare insurance carriers represented by MedicareSolutions.com for the state of Maryland include AARP/United Healthcare, Aetna, Coventry, Humana, Health Net, Kaiser Permanente, Bankers Life and Casualty, Pyramid, and others. For 2010, these plans will include Humana PDP Standard and Enhanced, Aetna Medicare Rx Essentials, AARP MedicareRx Saver, Health Net Value Orange Option 2, and AdvantraRx Premier.
Many changes in Medicare plans for 2010 will affect Maryland residents. For example, in 2009, there were 52 plans available for Part D, but this number will decrease to 48 for 2010. In 2009, 29% of all Medicare Part D plans had Gap Coverage, and in 2010, only 25% of these plans will have Gap Coverage.
To find out if these changes in Medicare plans will affect any type of Medicare insurance you currently have, contact one of our Medicare experts from MedicareSolutions.com. Because Open Enrollment begins November 15, it is important to collect as much information as possible in the weeks leading up to this time, so that you may change Medicare insurance plans if it would be advantageous to you. During Open Enrollment Period, you can change plans for no cost and our Medicare experts can help you make this important switch.
Maryland participates in the Medicare Buy-In Program, which is also known as QMB and SLIMB. This program is designed to protect low-income Medicare beneficiaries from the costs of Medicare, including out-of-pocket cost sharing expenses such as deductibles and co-payments. The QMB Program serves those with incomes that do not exceed 100 percent of the poverty level. The state of Maryland will then pay for their Medicare Part B premiums and cost-sharing amounts. The SLIMB Program pays only the Part B premium for those with incomes between 100 and 120 percent of the poverty level.
State Assistance Programs
Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program (MPAP)
MPAP provides help to qualified Maryland residents who are not eligible for the Maryland Medical Assistance Program. The Pharmacy Assistant Program recipient pays a $2.50 co-payment for each original prescription and refill for all generic drugs. Certain brand names will be $7.50. There is no monthly premium for the program.
Eligibility requirements to be met include:
- You must be a Maryland resident
- Your income must be less than $927 a month for individuals with assets below $4,000 and less than $1,070 for a couple with assets below $6,000
For more information call (800)226-2142 or visit the Maryland Medical Programs website.
