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The Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program is looking for volunteer counselors to help people understand health insurance options and long term care insurance options.
Training and certification is provided.
Make your own hours at a senior center near you.
Call RSVP at 858-7548 for more information.
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) Patient Assistance Programs. Eligibility depends on the criteria set by the individual companies; usually for low-income individuals with no other prescription coverage. An individual's physician needs to contact the company on his/her behalf.
For further information, call PhRMA at 1-202-835-3400 or visit their website at http://www.phrma.org
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) Patient Assistance Programs. Assists individuals in obtaining prescriptions they could not otherwise afford or that are not yet on the market. Through the NORD Patient Assistance Program, eligible patients are provided cost-free medication, or, in some cases, subsidy for high health insurance co-payments.
New York State offers discounts on nearly all prescription drugs to low-income persons between the ages of 50 and 65. More than 2,500 pharmacies across the State are participating. To be eligible for the card, annual income must be at or below $35,000 for single persons and at or below $50,000 for married individuals. Individuals enrolled in Medicaid or in the State's Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program are not eligible for the Prescription Saver Card. The program, administered through the State Department of Health, is expected to provide lower-income New Yorkers with average savings of 30 to 40 percent off the price of generic, and at least 25 percent off the full retail, price of brand name prescriptions. Actual savings will vary depending on the quantity, type and brand of drug purchased. Applications are accepted online at nyprescriptionsaver.fhsc.com or by phone at 1-800-788-6917. Applications are also available at pharmacies and through community organizations. Approved participants receive a New York Prescription Saver Card usually within two weeks of filing their application.
HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program)
Provides information and assistance regarding Medicare, Medicare Supplemental (Medigap), Long-Term Care, Managed Care (HMOs), EPIC, Medicaid, and other insurance options.
One-on-one counseling is available by appointment, along with confidential assistance with claims filing and referrals to appropriate agencies, including those offering legal assistance
Medicare is a federal government health insurance program for people age 65 or older or for persons under 65 who have been disabled for 24 months
To enroll, contact the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or, for further information, visit their website at http://www.ssa.gov
For further information on Medicare, visit the following websites:
Medicare pays for a full range of preventive services and screenings including diabetes, cardiovascular, prostate, and colorectal screenings. These screenings can help people stay healthy and detect conditions like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease early -- when treatment works best. Senior Services encourages you to speak with your doctor(s) about the preventive benefits covered by Medicare as some restrictions to coverage may apply:
Initial Preventive Physical Examination (IPPE) - the "Welcome to Medicare" Physical Exam
Ultrasound Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Cardiovascular Screening Blood Tests
Diabetes Screening Tests, Supplies, Self-Management Training, Medical Nutrition Therapy, and Other Medicare-Covered Services for People with Diabetes
Screening Mammography
Screening Pap Tests
Screening Pelvic Examination
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Prostate Cancer Screening
Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B Vaccinations
Bone Mass Measurements
Glaucoma Screening
Smoking and Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling Services
This year's handbook Medicare & You is available at http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf . Includes information about how you can get the most out of your Medicare, including Medicare health and prescription drug plan choices and coverage, how to protect yourself and Medicare from fraud, background on advance directives, and resources for detailed information and personalized help. If you have any questions, or need local information that this on-line resource does not include (printed version you received in the mail may have local info), just call HIICAP at 858-7883.
A Medicare-contracting HMO is an organized, community-based network of physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers that is approved by Medicare (choice of physicians and hospitals is limited to those affiliated with the HMO)
Privately purchased policies that cover some Medicare deductibles, co-payments, and non-covered services. Designed to supplement Medicare benefits by filling some of the gaps in Medicare
Available only to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
www.benefitscheckup.org - Get all the benefits you deserve. Find and enroll in federal, state, local and private programs that help pay for prescription drugs, utility bills, meals, health care and other needs.
Medicaid is a joint federal and state government program that provides health assistance for persons who are blind, disabled, or 65 or older who have low income and resources; or persons under 65 who meet social services' home relief rules
Programs to assist individuals/couples in paying for Medicare premiums: QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) SLMB (Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary Program) QI-1 (Qualified Individual-1)
To enroll, call the Erie County Department of Senior Services at 716-858-7883
Wouldn't it be nice to have control of your financial future? Planning ahead with long-term care insurance secures the care you need and your peace of mind. Long-term care insurance keeps you in control of your life by financing the quality care you need when you need it. Long-Term Care insurance allows you to determine the level of care you need, while helping you avoid financial hardship and signing over your life's savings to qualify for Medicaid. Erie County Senior Services' Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program also functions as a Long-Term Care Insurance Education and Outreach Resource Center to answer your questions about long-term care insurance. We DO NOT SELL insurance policies, nor recommend any one insurance company - we do offer information and assistance - Call (716) 858-7883, or go to http://www.erie.gov/depts/seniorservices/health/long_term_care.asp.
For information on veterans' health benefits and services, call the VA Health Benefits Service Center toll free at 1-877-222-VETS (1-877-222-8387) or visit their website at http://www.va.gov/visns/visn02
TRICARE for Life Program for military retirees who have served at least 20 years. Must be registered with Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
For information on DEERS, call toll free at 1-800-538-9552
TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program extends the same prescription drug coverage for those active and retired military under 65 to those 65 and older and those with Medicare.
For information on the TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program, call toll free at 1-877-DOD-MEDS (1-877-363-6337).
For general information on TRICARE for Life, call toll free at 1-888-DOD-LIFE (1-888-363-5433). Information on DEERS, TRICARE for Life and TRICARE Senior Pharmacy Program can also be obtained by visiting the TRICARE website at http://www.tricare.osd.mil
Healthy New York is a health insurance program for uninsured working individuals (cannot be eligible for Medicare).
For information on the Healthy New York Program, call toll free at 1-866-HEALTHY NY (1-866-432-5849) or visit the Healthy New York website at http://www.healthyny.com
NYS Family Health Plus Program is a health insurance program available to individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 who do not have health insurance (cannot have Medicare) and whose incomes and resources are too high to qualify for Medicaid. Eligibility is determined by income (no limits on resources or assets). There are no premiums and it provides for doctor, hospital, and dental coverage.
To obtain information and an application, call the Erie County Department of Senior Services at 716-858-7883 or call toll free at 1-877-9FHPLUS (1-877-934-7587). Information can also be obtained by visiting the New York State Department of Health website at http://www.health.state.ny.us.
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