Medicare Premium Help Program Reaches Out to Struggling Grand Rapids Seniors

According to a 2011 study by Wayne State
University’s Seniors Count! project, one-third of the more than 115,000
seniors residing in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm,
Newaygo and Osceola counties don’t have enough income to cover basic
living expenses.

As health care costs continue to rise, seniors need more help than ever to
pay for their Medicare and prescription drug premiums.

“People come to us because they have difficulty affording their health
care,” said Karen Rozelle, Regional Coordinator for the MMAP program,
which provides services for these counties.

Medicare Premium Help is an outreach campaign that works to spread
awareness and assist Michigan seniors with their health care premiums. The
campaign is part of the nonprofit Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance
Program (MMAP) and works through Michigan Area Agencies on Aging.
MMAP has already helped thousands of senior citizens since its inception in
1984, and has saved seniors millions of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses.
The organization is looking to reach even more seniors this year with the
Medicare Premium Help campaign.

“We want to enroll seniors in our region and ensure that they get an extra
$99 per month in their pockets,” said Rozelle.

Seniors — and their family, caregivers and friends — are encouraged to call
1.800.803.7174. Counselors are available to help seniors and people with
disabilities understand their premium costs, determine if they’re eligible for
premium payment assistance and enroll them in money-saving programs.
Beneficiaries can earn up to $1,277/month ($1,723 for couples) to qualify
for help with their Medicare premium and up to $1,396/month ($1,891 for
couples) to qualify for help with their prescription drug costs.

“It’s our goal to make sure seniors get the health care they need,” said
Rozelle.

MMAP (Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program) is a free
counseling program that can help you apply for a Medicare Savings
Program and compare and enroll in Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.
The program is free and provides unbiased, expert health benefit guidance.
MMAP counselors are not connected with any insurance company. MMAP
works through the Area Agencies on Aging throughout Michigan.

MMAP is funded by a grant from the Michigan Office of Services to the
Aging through funding received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, the Medicare agency and a grant from the Administration
on Aging.

Learn more by calling 1.800.803.7174.