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T H E C A R E G I V E R ’ S T O O L K I T
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CHAPTER 5
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Medigap
Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans
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information on Medigap, call the Harford County Office on
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410-
638-3577
. Free counseling for Medicare, Medigap, and
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What is Medigap?
•
Medigap is a health insurance policy sold by private
insurance companies that works to fill the “gaps.” These
policies help pay some of the health care costs that the
original Medicare Plan does not cover. You must have
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monthly premium in addition to the Medigap premium.
•
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through N), which all have specific benefits so you can
compare them easily. The benefits in any Medigap plan
are the same for any insurance company. Each insurance
company decides which Medigap policy it wants to sell.
•
You and your spouse must each buy a separate Medigap
policy. Policies only cover health care costs for one person.
•
Maryland law increases safeguards for consumer
protection. For example, you have 30 days to cancel a
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renewable. This means companies cannot cancel or
refuse to renew a policy for any reason other than
nonpayment of premiums or misrepresentation.
•
Rates for the policies are available at
www.mdinsurance.state.md.us.
•
Medigap policies by law cannot include
Prescription Drug Coverage.
•
You may purchase a Part D plan for your
prescription drug coverage needs.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program trains
volunteers to be aware of health care fraud, waste,
and abuse in the Medicare/Medicaid programs and
provides information about fraud and scams.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Program (QMB)
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deductibles and co-insurance payments of
the Medicare program for older and disabled
individuals who are financially eligible.
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through the Department of Social Services
or you can request a mail-in application
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at
410-638-3303
or
410-638-3577
.
Specified Low-Income Medicare
Beneficiary Program (SLMB)
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or couple may hold certain assets, i.e., a house,
car, burial plan, etc. which may be exempt from
consideration. Maximum monthly income levels
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available at the Department of Social Services
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410-638-
3303
or
410-638-3577
. Guidelines are adjusted
annually based on Federal Poverty level.
Spousal Impoverishment
This rule protects some resources for a
spouse who remains in the community when
the other spouse is admitted to the nursing
home and is applying for Long-Term Care
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be exempt along with other resources. The
spouse who remains in the community may
be eligible for a spousal share, meaning they
may be eligible for a share of the income
and assets that are jointly held. Contact the
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1-800-
492-5231
or
410-767-1463
, for information
about the process or visit
www.peoples-law.
info/node/1004
for a complete explanation.
Medicare
(continued)
Harford County Department
of Community Services
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