People with limited income and resources may qualify for extra help one of two ways. The amount of extra help you get will depend on your income and resources.

• You automatically qualify for extra help and don’t need to apply. If you have full coverage from a state Medicaid program, get help from Medicaid paying your Medicare premiums (belong to a Medicare Savings Program), or get Supplemental Security Income benefits, you automatically qualify for extra help and do not have to apply for it. Medicare mails a letter to people who automatically qualify for extra help.
• You apply and qualify for extra help. You may qualify if your yearly income in 2008 is less than $15,600 (single with no dependents) or $21,000 (married and living with your spouse with no dependents), and your resources are less than $11,990 (single) or $23,970 (married and living with your spouse). These resource amounts include $1,500 per person for burial expenses. Resources include your savings and stocks but not your home or car.

If you aren’t getting extra help, you can see if you qualify by calling:

• 1-800-Medicare of TTY/TDD users call 1-877-486-2048 (24 hours a day/7 days a week),
• Your State Medicaid Office, or
• The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you get extra help from Medicare to help pay for your Medicare prescription drug plan costs, your monthly plan premium will be lower than what it would be if you did not get extra help from Medicare. The amount of extra help you get will determine your total monthly plan premium as a member of our Plan.

If you have any questions, please call Member Services at 1-866-250-2005, (TTY/TDD: 1-866-763-9630) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.