Medicare Monitor
The Palm Beach Post's veteran Washington correspondent, Larry Lipman, tracks policy makers and interest groups who are shaping the future of the federal health insurance program for the elderly.Medicare Web Resources
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Medicare is the federal health care system that covers about 36 million people age 65 and older, plus 7 million disabled. It has four parts:
Financed by a 2.9 percent payroll tax divided equally between employees and employers.
Financed by beneficiary premiums and federal general revenue. Current monthly premiums are $93.50. Starting this year, individuals whose taxable income is more than $80,000 will pay a higher premium.
Financed by Medicare and beneficiary premiums, which vary among plans.
The plans are private and financed by Medicare and beneficiary premiums, which vary among plans.
-- Larry Lipman
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All the entries posted on June 06, 2008.
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Home > Medicare Monitor > Archives > 2008 > June > 06
Friday, June 6, 2008
SHIP programs get $15 million to advise low income seniors
Medicare is sending another $15 million to State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, commonly known as SHIPs, particularly aimed at helping them advise low-income beneficiaries how they can apply for subsidies and lower rates under the Medicare prescription drug program.
The $15 million is in addition to $36 million distributed on April 1 and another $1.5 million scheduled to be parceled out in September. The total is $20 million higher than last year.
Fifteen million bucks seems like a lot of money, but it doesn’t go far when spread among all 50 states. Florida’s share is about $830,000; Georgia gets roughly $380,000; Ohio, $540,000; North Carolina $465,000 and Colorado nearly $160,000.
SHIPs are state programs that rely on community networks to give personal assistance to Medicare beneficiaries who need help understanding and navigating the program.