Page 56 - November 2022 Issue.indd

in 2024 to approximately $1699
month gross to qualify. Th at necessary
increase expands the income limit
for an individual by $150 for 2024!
The IRA also addresses the high cost
of prescription medications in part
“D”. The law caps the total RX out of
pocket costs to $2,000 per year, but,
unfortunately, this will not start until
14374 Benedictine Ln | Ridgely, MD 21660
January 2025.
THE COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY
As stated earlier, Medicare Part “A”
AT MARTIN’S HOUSE & BARN covers inpatient hospital, skilled
(This is our new name, was previously Saint Martin’s Barn) nursing facility, inpatient rehab, and
some home health care services. For
Drive-Thru Pantry and Thrift Store Hours: 2023 the inpatient deductible has gone
up $44 for 2023. This deductible covers

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Martes, Jueves, Viernes

8:30 am - 11:30 am 8:30 am - 11:30 am the beneficiary’s share of the costs for
the first 60 days of covered inpatient
Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Wednesday 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
hospitalizations for a benefit period.

Thrift Store is also open First Saturdays 8 am-Noon Remember a benefit period starts when
one is admitted as a patient and ends

FOOD ASSISTANCE: when no inpatient care has occurred for
60 days in a row, essentially 60 days aft er
PLEASE CALL OUR BARN MANAGER one is released. There is no limit on the

AT 410.634.2537 EXT. 111
number of benefit periods during the

RENT & UTILITIES ASSISTANCE: January through December year.
PLEASE CALL OUR HOUSING & SUPPORT SERVICES Enrollees aged 65 and over who have
COORDINATOR AT 410-634-2537 EXT. 105 fewer than 40 quarters of coverage
(who paid into the system for less than
All staff at Martin’s House & Barn are following CDC guidelines
10 years) and certain persons with
for social distancing and COVID prevention, including daily
disabilities, pay a monthly premium
temperature checks and masking.
in order to voluntarily enroll in
We ask that clients also please wear a mask and maintain
Medicare Part A. Individuals who
distance of six feet when staff bring the food to the vehicle. had at least 30 quarters of coverage or
were married to someone with at least
(nkfcares@kidney.org). Call Social the Health Department for seasonal fl u 30 quarters of coverage may buy into
Security in Cambridge at 888-347- vaccine information at 410-479-8000. Part A at a reduced monthly premium
9277 for information and enrollment rate, which will be $278 in 2023, a $4
assistance. That was the Good News. Now for increase from 2022. Certain uninsured
future cast! aged individuals who have less than
Pneumonia, seasonal flu, covid vaccines, CMS will not start negotiating with drug 30 quarters of coverage and certain

and Hepatitis B vaccines continue to manufacturers until 2024. Negotiations individuals with disabilities who have
be covered by Medicare. Note that will start with a list of ten brand name exhausted other entitlement will pay
even those who are uninsured pay drugs with the highest spending history the full premium, which will be $506 a
zero out of pocket costs for the Covid in part “D”, and those negotiated prices month in 2023, a $7 increase from 2022.
vaccine, including the most recent will not go into effect until 2026. Go to https://www.federalregister.gov

one specifically targeting the omicron Ensuring that Big Pharma continues to for more information.
variant. Call 410-479-5880 for Covid produce innovative drugs while getting
vaccination info and appointments. Th e the best possible deal for the little guy Advantage continued: Open Enrollment
Shingles vaccine is currently covered by is going to be an ongoing task, so once is when Medicare Advantage plans
your “D” plan after your deductible is again, we must be patient. are permitted to enroll beneficiaries

met and is free as of Jan 1, 2023. Th is vax into their plans. A quickie overview of

needs special refrigeration, so contact The benchmark for qualifying for Extra Advantage shows that it functions as a
Walmart for the shingles vaccination. Help, which assists with premiums and sub-contractor for Original Medicare
Call your health care provider or the out of pocket costs, is set to increase and is not the federally run program most
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