September 19, 2005
New Big Sky Rx to Help Medicare Beneficiaries
Pay Premiums for Prescription Drug Coverage
(Fifth in a series)
Montanans who are eligible for a new Medicare prescription drug benefit may also be able to get extra financial help through a new state program known as Big Sky Rx.
Authorized by the 2005 Legislature, Big Sky Rx will help pay premiums for some Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in the new prescription drug plans created by the Medicare Modernization Act. The state program is funded with revenue from the tobacco-tax increase that voters approved in November 2004.
Enrollment in both Big Sky Rx and Medicare prescription drug plans begins Nov. 15.
To be eligible for Big Sky Rx, you must:
- Be a Montana resident;
- Be enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage;
- Have an annual income of no more than $19,140 for a single person or $25,660 for a couple (some income exceptions may apply, so let the program figure your eligibility); and
- Be ineligible to get your entire premium paid with federal assistance through the Social Security Administration.
There is no limit to the amount of assets you can have to apply for Big Sky Rx.
If you are eligible for payment of only part of your monthly prescription drug premium through the federal premium assistance program, you may be able to pay the rest of your premium through Big Sky Rx.
If you have questions about Big Sky Rx or wish to apply, call toll-free 1-866-369-1233. Applicants should leave a name and mailing address. Or you may write to Big Sky Rx, P.O. Box 202915, Helena MT 59620-2915.
For more information about the federal premium assistance offered through the Social Security Administration, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/.
On Oct. 1, private companies will begin marketing Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. As you decide which plan to choose, keep in mind that legitimate providers:
- Can't come to your home uninvited to sell or endorse any Medicare-related product.
- Can't enroll you into a drug plan over the telephone unless you call them.
- Can't ask for payment over the telephone or online. The company must send you a bill in the mail if you enroll online or by phone.
To learn more about Medicare prescription drug plans, watch for the handbook Medicare & You 2006, which Medicare will mail to you in October. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.
You can also learn more locally by calling your Area Agency on Aging and State Health Insurance Assistance Program representative at 1-800-551-3191.
(This column was prepared by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. It is the fifth in a series of monthly articles about the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plans that will take effect Jan. 1, 2006. To read other columns in this series, visit www.dphhs.mt.gov and click on "New Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit" under Features.)
Page last updated: 06/15/2006
