But since Social Security recipients are not receiving a
cost-of-living adjustment this year, most Social Security payments won’t drop
because of that increased Medicare premium.
“People who have Medicare and have a premium deducted from
their Social Security check, the law allows that your check not be lower than
it was in 2009 simply to collect that higher Medicare premium,” said Robert
Jeffries, Public Affairs officer with Social Security.
“So most of the people on Medicare, like 93% of them, will
see no change in their payments and they’ll continue to pay the old premium
since there was no cost-of-living adjustment.” he said.
There are approximately 380,000 West Virginians
on Medicare.
Jeffries says only seniors that have experienced an increase
in income will not be protected from the increase in Medicare premiums.
Additional relief for Medicare beneficiaries is available
because of changes in Social Security’s “Extra Help” program which helps pay
Medicare prescription drug plan costs.
To qualify for extra help, people must meet certain resource
and income limits.
Officials say it’s now easier to qualify.
“Previously we had to count the cash value of a life
insurance policy as an income resource, and we also counted if you had help
with paying your bills,” said Jeffries.
“But beginning January 2010, those two items will no longer
be considered.”
Social Security estimates a person can save up to $3900 a
year on premiums, deductibles and co-pays through the program.
The income limit for a single person is $1354 a month, and
$1821 a month for a married couple.
Resource limits are $12,510 for an individual and $25,010
for a married couple.
“The only things we look at for that resource limit is money
that you have as cash in the bank, or if you have property other than where you
live,” said Jeffries. “Otherwise the car you drive, the house you live in,
those things do not count toward the resource limit.”
Approximately 81,000 West Virginians
currently receive extra help for their Medicare prescription drugs through
Social Security.
Jeffries advises Medicare recipients to contact their local Social
Security office or visit their Web siteto see if they
qualify for the extra help.