Social Services

MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM

The Medicare Savings Program is available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources.  Limits for this program are higher than the Medicaid income and resource limits.  You can apply for this program at your local Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) office.  If you qualify for this program, the state will pay your Medicare Part B premium and could provide additional benefits, if your income and resources are low enough.  Cost of Prescription Drug Plans premiums and co-pays  are reduced. Monongalia County DHHR can be reached at 304 285-3175.  Their office is located at 114 High Street and their office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-  4:30 p.m.

LOW-INCOME SUBSIDY 

The Low Income Subsidy is available through the Social Security Administration.  Income limits are higher than the Medicare Savings Program.   Partial and full assistance for Prescription Drug Plan  premiums and co-pays are available based on your income and resources.  The application is available at your local Social Security office, or online at www.ssa.gov.  Social Security Administration service hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Social Security can be reached at 304 291-4785 or (800) 772-1213

 

MEDICAID
The Medicaid program covers most medicines prescribed by a doctor. Seniors, with limited income and resources, who are 65 years of age or older, blind or disabled will be automatically eligible for Medicaid if they qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a program run by the Social Security Administration. When income and resources exceed eligibility guidelines for SSI, seniors may still qualify for Medicaid. To do so, they must “spenddown” out-of-pocket medical expenses (those medical expenses not reimbursed by health insurance) over a six-month period to meet the Medicaid income requirement. For additional information, contact the Social Security Administration (304-291-4785) or the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (304-285-3175).

PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Although Morgantown Health Right typically doesn’t assist people with health insurance, i.e., seniors with Medicare coverage, it makes exceptions for low-income Medicare recipients who don’t receive prescription benefits. Individuals with a monthly income below the Federal Poverty Level may qualify for assistance. Presently, there is a waiting list for new patients, but once a patient is seen, out-of-pocket expenses are minimal. Contact Morgantown Health Right at 292-8234.
A person who receives too much income to qualify for assistance at Morgantown Health Right may be eligible for a pharmaceutical assistance program. Because eligibility guidelines vary from company to company, it’s difficult to know if someone will qualify until a personal physician submits the application and the drug company reviews it. A social services coordinator at Senior Monongalians can determine if an assistance program exists for a specific medication and provide each senior with the application papers. If a person qualifies, medications are provided free or at a substantially, reduced rate.
Additionally, the 340b Drug Program Initiative is available at Federally Qualified Health Centers. It is a federal program designed to provide low-cost prescriptions to the growing uninsured population. Health centers and hospitals can purchase prescriptions at the federal ceiling price (roughly 49% of wholesale prices) and pass the savings onto their patients (You must be a patient of the covered entity.). Monongahela Valley Association of Community Health Centers in Marion County is a participating entity.

www.needymeds.com is a free resource to help people learn about patient assistance programs and other programs for those who can’t afford their medications. The site has direct links to each state Medicaid program, enables searches for pharmacy assistance by drug company and name of prescription drug, and compares companies’ discount card programs. www.medicare.gov identifies prescription drug assistance programs organized by pharmaceutical company, health conditions/diseases, and state-and community-based programs.

Rx DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
Additionally, several drug companies offer discount cards. Pfizer Share Card, Together Rx Card, GlaxoSmithKline Orange Card, Lilly Answers Card and the Novartis Care Card sponsor programs designed to help low and moderate-income Medicare beneficiaries and the disabled without drug coverage. For additional information, contact the social services department at Senior Monongalians, Inc. (296-9812).

www.benefitscheckup.org BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. The BenefitsCheckUpRx service will provide you with a confidential, personalized report of public and private programs that can help you save money on some, or all, of your prescription drugs.
www.rxforwv.org Rx for West Virginia allows you to search for, access and print information on available prescription drug discounts and assistance.

OTHER DISCOUNT DRUG PROGRAMS
Other drug discount programs are also available for seniors, regardless of their income. One, designed specifically for WV residents, 60 years of age or older, is the Golden Mountaineer Discount Card. Seniors, in most cases, receive a 13% discount off the wholesale price of brand name drugs, or a 60% discount off the maximum allowable cost for most generic drugs. (If the pharmacy’s usual and customary price affords an even greater discount, seniors should be given the better price.) Others, such as the People’s Prescription Plan, charge a monthly fee. Discounts vary from program to program so additional investigation is warranted before anyone commits to one. For additional information on these programs or the Golden Mountaineer Card, contact the social services department at Senior Monongalians, Inc. (296-9812).

MEDIGAP/SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE PLANS
Medicare recipients may also purchase a supplemental (Medigap) plan that provides prescription benefits once a $250 deductible has been met. However, because these plans tend to be costly, they’re reserved for people in higher income brackets.

VETERANS’ BENEFITS
Eligible veterans, regardless of income, should obtain their prescriptions, whenever possible, from the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center. Although seniors complain about the distance to and from Clarksburg, van transportation is available upon request. Most veterans will pay a small co-payment for a 30-day supply of medications provided on an outpatient basis for the treatment of a non-service connected disability. Some veterans, however, will be exempt from the co-payment if their monthly income falls below income guidelines, or if they have service connected disabilities rated 50% or more. For additional information, contact the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV (304) 623-3461 or 1-800-733-0512.

 

COMBINED LIVING WILL AND MEDICAL POWER OF ATTORNEY form:

Click on the above link to access this form.  The form can be printed blank or you can fill-in the form and     print it.  The form cannot be "saved" to your computer as a filled-in form.  You may save a copy of the blank form to your computer.

 

Respite: What Caregivers Need Most

Family caregivers of chronically ill older persons or those with disabilities are generous, compassionate individuals. They care for loved ones in the familiar surroundings of their own homes or communities. These caregivers are "on call" 24-hours a day, 7 days a week because they want to see their loved ones remain in the comfort and security of their own environments. But at some point, even caregivers need a break, a rest, or a breather. Respite provides informal caregivers -- usually relatives, a break from their daily responsibilities.
Senior Monongalians, Inc. offers Congregate and In-Home Respite Care as well as Caregiver Support Groups. For more information call Sue at (304) 296-9812.

 

Caregiver Support Groups

Senior Monongalians, Inc
PO Box 653
Mountaineer Mall
Morgantown, WV 26507
3rd Wednesday of each month - 10 a.m.

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