October 2, 2006
More Could Take Advantage
of Medicare Premium Assistance
Elderly and disabled Montanans who have Medicare prescription drug coverage are not taking full advantage of a new state program aimed at helping them pay their premiums, a state official said Monday.
The Big Sky Rx Program, created by the 2005 Legislature, will pay up to $33.11 of monthly Medicare-approved prescription drug premiums, according to Jo Thompson, program supervisor with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.
The program has funding to help as many as 20,000 people, but only about 3,000 have signed up since last November, when the program started, she said. About 90,000 Montanans have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
“We aren’t sure why people aren’t taking better advantage of this opportunity,” Thompson said. “We do know the entire Medicare Part D program has been confusing, and seniors are wary of unauthorized plans that try to pass themselves off as Medicare-approved. Some may just be reluctant to accept help.”
Thompson noted that the Big Sky Rx Program is funded with tobacco taxes set aside specifically for this purpose. Montanans can apply for the program at any time of year if they meet two simple criteria:
- They are a Montana resident on Medicare; and
- They meet the income guidelines (under $19,600 for a one-person household or $26,400 for a two-person household).
The program does not take into account a person’s assets, such as the value of his or her home, bank accounts, investments, and other assets, Thompson said.
“It’s so easy to enroll in Big Sky Rx,” she added. “Our eligibility specialists are knowledgeable and happy to help explain the program. We hope people will give us a call and give us a chance to help them help themselves.”
To learn more about Big Sky Rx, call the toll-free hotline at 1-866-369-1233 or visit www.bigskyrx.mt.gov.
