Medicare Corner
What Other Benefits, Rights, and Protections Come With the MSP? If you enroll in an MSP, you will automatically get Extra Help , the federal program that helps pay your Medicare prescription drug (Part D plan) costs. The MSP allows you to enroll in Medicare outside of the regular enrollment periods. If you missed your Initial Enrollment Period to enroll in Part B, the MSP will allow you to enroll in Part B during any time of the year. If you do not have premium- free Part A and are not enrolled, QMB may allow you to enroll without waiting for the General Enrollment Period, depending on your state.
If you have a late enrollment penalty (LEP), the MSP can eliminate it. Most people need this for Part B LEPs. However, if you have a Part A LEP and qualify for QMB, QMB will also eliminate your Part A LEP. If you are enrolled in the QMB MSP, providers who accept Original Medicare or who are in-network for your Medicare Advantage Plan cannot bill you for any Medicare cost-sharing. This includes deductibles, copayments, and coinsurances for all Medicare covered services. If you have the QMB MSP and your provider bills you for services, let them know that you have QMB and should not be billed. (Note that some states may impose small Medicaid copays for Medicare-covered services.)
This project was supported in part by grant number 90MPPG0022, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy. • Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): Contact your local SMP if you have QMB and are being billed for Medicare cost-sharing by a Medicare provider. SMPs empower Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. PCOA is the local SHIP/SMP for Pima County. Contact us at (520) 546-2011 for more Medicare information. Remember that the MSP is available to all people with Medicare who qualify, not just those who are enrolled in certain private plans. Where can I go for additional help? • State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Contact your local SHIP to learn if you are eligible for an MSP. Local SHIPs can also help you with your application and screen you for other Medicare cost assistance programs.
September/October 2024, Never Too Late | Page 13
Pima Council on Aging
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