Page 56 - April 2023 Issue.indd
P. 56

it as borrowing from Peter to pay Paul   3) Impose an exclusion of benefi ts based   those still working, the first $65 of your
            and put those saved funds to good use   on preexisting conditions during the   monthly wages and half of your monthly

            by buying a Sup. You will be very glad   Guaranteed Issue Period.    wages (after the $65 is deducted) is not
            you did when the plan starts paying                                  counted as income. Food stamps are also

            your doctor bills or the coinsurance for   Once again, beneficiaries eligible for this   not counted as income.
            a hospital stay!                   Guaranteed Enrollment Period are not
                                               required to answer health questions that   - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary

            Please note that those who are verifi ed as   appear on an application. The state has   (QMB)- 100%FPL- Pays for Part A & B
            eligible for QMB need to double check   mandated that agents representing all   premiums, deductibles, copays.
            their eligibility with Social Services   insurance companies provide a specifi c
                                                                                 Gross monthly income Max: $1,235 /
            and Social Security. Income and assets   statement on the application form
                                                                                 Individual and $1,663 /Couple
            determine eligibility for QMB. If one   informing the applicant that the health
            truly qualifies for QMB they will not use   questions do not need to be answered   -Specified Low Income Beneficiary

            that 63 day Guaranteed Issue to buy a   to buy a plan. Carriers are required to   (SLMB)-120%FPL Pays Only Medicare
            Supplemental Plan, because QMB acts as   submit these forms that address the   B premium for those who have A in
            their supplemental Medigap insurance.     requirements of House Bill 536 ASAP to   place. Does not cover any Medicare
            As a matter of fact, it is illegal to sell a   the Maryland Insurance Administration.   costs other than part B premium so it is
            Medigap policy to a QMB benefi ciary!                                recommended that these benefi ciaries

            This is one reason why the agents will   Eligibility standards for Medicare   purchase a Medicare Supplemental plan
            want to see that letter of termination!   Savings Plans (MSP) for 2023 are   to cover the expenses A & B do not cover.
            Read on for qualifying parameters for   now available. MSPs help low-income   Gross monthly income Max:  $1,478 /

            all Medicare Savings Programs.     beneficiaries who have limited resources
                                               afford Medicare.  Income standards are   Individual and $1,992/ Couple.

            During the next 12 months, those who   based on the Federal Poverty Level.   -Qualifying Individual (QI) 135%
            are eligible for the Guaranteed Issue   (FPL) These are Federally funded   FPL Known in Maryland as SLMB ll,
            under House Bill 536 are:          programs, (since Medicare is a federal   helps pay the part B premium for those
                                               program) that are facilitated through   who have A in place. It only applies to
            1) An individual who is enrolled in
                                               the states, so applications are processed
            Medicare Part B while enrolled in the
                                               by the Department of Human Services.
            Maryland Medical Assistance Program
                                               DSS, the Department of Social Services
            during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
                                               in Denton, processes them in Caroline
            2) An individual who remained in   County.
            Medicaid due to the suspension of
            terminations ordered during the    Asset limits are the same for all three
            Public Health Emergency and was not   programs, and for 2023 are set at $9,090
            dis-enrolled or terminated until at least   for single individuals and $13,630 for
            six months following the eff ective date   a couple. Assets are bank accounts,
            of Medicare part “B” enrollment.   Stocks, Bonds, IRAs, or any accounts
                                               that are liquid and can become ready
            ** The Individual’s Guaranteed Issue   cash. Assets include real estate that is not    ĂŝůLJ  ĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ
            period must be provided within 63   the property your primary residence is       RN on Call

            days after the beneficiary’s dated letter   on. Your vehicle, personal possessions,   ,ŽŵĞ  ŽŽŬĞĚ DĞĂůƐ͕

            of termination or dis-enrollment, or   and home are not considered assets. If   ^ŶĂĐŬƐ Θ  ĞǀĞƌĂŐĞƐ
            an official letter showing the date of   one will be using $1,500 of cash reserves   >ĂƵŶĚƌLJ Θ ,ŽƵƐĞŬĞĞƉŝŶŐ
            termination from the Maryland Medical   for burial funds, that is not counted,   >ŝĐĞŶƐĞĚ ƚŽ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ
            Assistance Program.                nor is your burial plot. Life insurance    ĂƌĞ ĨŽƌ >ĞǀĞůƐ ϭ͕Ϯ͕ϯ
            During Guaranteed Issue, Insurance   with a cash value of less than $1,500 is   DĞŵŽƌLJ  ĂƌĞ
            Agents may not:                    also not counted but be careful with life   ^ƉĞĐŝĂů  ŝĞƚ Θ  ŝŶŝŶŐ  ƐƐŝƐƚĂŶĐĞ
                                               insurance policies carrying a higher cash   WŽƐƚͲƌĞŚĂďŝůŝƚĂƟŽŶ WĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉƐ
            1)Deny or place conditions on the
                                               value. It might be worth considering   ǁŝƚŚ  ŽĐƚŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ dŚĞƌĂƉŝƐƚƐ
            Supplemental policy that is off ered and
                                               signing higher valued life insurance over   ĂŶĚ ŵƵĐŚ ŵŽƌĞ͘͘͘
            available to issue to new enrollees by
                                               to your chosen funeral parlor and prepay
            the carrier.                                                             www.arcadia-living.com
                                               your services if you need to qualify for
                                               these programs.
            2) Discriminate in the pricing of this
            Guaranteed issue supplemental policy

                                               In all states, the first $20 of your income is
            because of health, claims experience,

                                               not counted. Th is first $20 is considered
            medical conditions, or receipt of health                               Come Home to Arcadia
                                               the “twenty-dollar disregard.”  For
            care.
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