Elder Angle
Programs Available to Assist Seniors
Good health is important to everyone. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can get stressful and expensive. If you can't afford to pay for medical care right now, Medicaid can make it possible for you to get the care that you need and deserve so that you can get healthy, and stay healthy.
Medicaid helps eligible individuals that have no medical insurance or poor health insurance. Medicaid was created to help individuals by possibly paying for some or all of their medical bills, deductibles, premiums and coinsurance. Individuals who are currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are automatically enrolled into the Medicaid system.
Medicaid consists of many programs that are available for Seniors. Some of these programs that are available are listed below. These programs are based on income, household size and assets. For example, assets are considered to be savings accounts, cash on hand, and/or bonds.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) helps to cover costs of Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.
Special Low-income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) helps to cover costs of Medicare Part B premiums.
MEDS for Aged and Disabled (MEDS-AD) is for a limited group of individuals who can receive full Medicaid coverage, if they do not have Medicare Part A or Part B.
Institutional Care Program (ICP) provides medical coverage for individuals in nursing home facilities.
Qualifying Individuals 1 (QI1) pays Medicare directly for Part B premiums.
Medically Needy program provides benefits for medical bills. This coverage is month to month and the individual must meet a monthly share amount that works like a deductible.
You can apply online for Medicaid programs at the Department of Children & Families, www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/ You can also contact the Elder Helpline to learn more about these and other programs that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Elder Helpline, is toll free 1-800- 963-5337 or 1-800-96ELDER and available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
