Programs funded through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, New York State, and Lewis County.

---

The Lewis County Office for the Aging provides free, confidential, and unbiased health insurance counseling services to all Medicare beneficiaries and their  families as part of their Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP).  Staff is available to counsel and educate on the following:

Introduction to Medicare

Medicare A and B

Medigap (Supplemental) Plans

Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C)

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

Employer/Retiree Plans

Medicare Preventive and Screening Services

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

Medicaid

Supplemental Security Income/Supplemental Security Disability

Medicare Fraud and Abuse

Durable Medical Equipment

We also assist beneficiaries in applying for benefit programs for which they may be eligible.  Two of these benefit programs are listed below:

Medicare Savings Program Eligibility guidelines  Household of one—$1,377 per month  Household of two—$1,847 per month  No resource test What it Pays  Pays the Medicare Part B premium of $134 per month  Reduces copays for prescriptions to as low as $3.30 for generic drugs and $8.25 for brand drugs

Extra Help through the Social Security Administration (SSA) Eligibility guidelines  Household of one— $1,520 per month  Household of two—$2,028 per month  Resource limit of $13,820 for an individual and $27,600 for a couple What it Pays  Reduces monthly Part D plan premium, possibly even eliminating  Reduces copays for prescriptions to as low as $3.30 for generic drugs and $8.25 for brand drugs

If you believe that you may be eligible for either of these benefit programs, contact a HIICAP counselor at 376-5313. Arrangements will be made to complete an application. 

---

The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 327,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Seniors can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive EPIC benefits and maintain coverage.

Lewis County Office for the Aging staff are well informed in the latest changes to the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage.