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Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program
If you have questions about Medicare, how it works, or have a problem understanding the coverage you currently have, help is available. The Office for the Aging has a trained counselor to assist clients with finding the best health and prescription coverage through Medicare and supplemental insurance plans that fit your needs. Enrollment assistance and help understanding your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) is also available. For assistance, please call Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750 to speak with one of our trained HIICAP counselors. If an office visit is preferred, please call ahead as appointments are highly recommended. |
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EPIC
The New York Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 270,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs. Seniors can apply for EPIC at any time of the year and must be enrolled or eligible to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D drug plan to receive EPIC benefits and maintain coverage. EPIC provides secondary coverage for Medicare Part D and EPIC-covered drugs purchased after any Medicare Part D deductible is met. EPIC also covers approved Part D-excluded drugs once a member is enrolled in Part D. For more information visit this link: NYS EPIC FAQ
Other helpful websites and contact numbers:
NYS HIICAP Hotline: 1-800-701-0501
Medicare Website:
Visit www.medicare.gov to search for prescription plans for your area, or to compare plans that match your drug list, or you may also find extra help to pay for your coverage. Medicare.gov can also allow you to find out what Medicare covers, or help you locate nursing homes, hospitals, dialysis facilities, doctors, or specialists in your area.
To speak with a Medicare representative call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
EPIC Website:
Visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/healthcare/epic/ for more information about the New York State Prescription plan for seniors 65+. The website will help you understand the program benefits and eligibility. The EPIC application is also available online. If you have questions about the program call: 1-800-332-3742.
Compare Drug Prices:
The New York State Board of pharmacy publishes an annual list of the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs in the most common quantities. The New York State Department of Health collects retail price information on these drugs from pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program and from pharmacies that submit their retail price information directly to the Department of Health. This site allows you to search for specific drugs from the most frequently prescribed drug list. Visit the website for more details http://rx.nyhealth.gov/pdpw/SearchDrugs/Home.action
Medicaid:
For Medicaid questions and eligibility information see: http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/
To apply for Medicaid (or family Health Plus) go to access NY application at :
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/family_health_plus/
To apply for Medicaid and food stamps together go to: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/
Medicare savings Programs, Medicaid spend down and Medicaid:
Medicare savings programs can help seniors (individuals/couples) pay for all or for portions of medical costs or Medicare premiums (depending on level of income). For an application go to: www.nyhealth.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/update/savingsprogram/msapp.pdf
A person may be able to qualify for Medicaid spend down if they spend (down) enough of their income on medical bills and qualifying medical expenses. To find out more about current Medicaid income rates visit the NYS Dept of Health Medicaid in New York State and click the link: "How do I know if I qualify for Medicaid?"
Under special circumstances, if a senior is incapable of leaving their home (must be homebound) and does not have someone to assist them in completing and submitting an application, call the Delaware County Office for the Aging in Delhi for more information or to request an application at (607) 832-5750 .
The New York State Wide Senior Action Council provides counseling to seniors seeking more information about Medicare Part D prescription coverage with EPIC. Contact 1-800-333-4374 or email [email protected] .
The NY Bridge Plan is a low cost health plan for uninsured adults and children with a pre-existing condition, who do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, Family Health Plus, or Child Health Plus. For more information call 1-866-693-9277 or visit www.nybridgeplan.com .
CMS/The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
www.cms.hhs.gov
Social Security Administration:
www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213
Long Term Care Insurance can help you pay for costs related to a chronic medical condition or disabling injury while protecting your assets. LTC insurance covers services provided in a nursing home, at home, in an assisted living facility, or in other community-based settings. See http://www.nyspltc.org/ or to request NYS Partnership for Long Term Care brochures and information call (607) 832-5750 .
The Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society, and Self Help Community Services website, New York Health Access, (http://nyhealthaccess.org/) is designed for consumers, caregivers, and New York State health advocates. The website assists senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, the uninsured, underinsured, and other individuals facing medical debt, access to Medicare supplemental benefits, Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus.
For issues that are specific to New York State residents, visit the NY State Office for the Aging HIICAP page: http://www.aging.ny.gov/HealthBenefits/Index.cfm
For general information and publications concerning Medicare
call 1-800-633-4227
NYS HIICAP Hotline: 1-800-701-0501
Medicare Website:
Visit www.medicare.gov to search for prescription plans for your area, or to compare plans that match your drug list, or you may also find extra help to pay for your coverage. Medicare.gov can also allow you to find out what Medicare covers, or help you locate nursing homes, hospitals, dialysis facilities, doctors, or specialists in your area.
To speak with a Medicare representative call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
EPIC Website:
Visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/healthcare/epic/ for more information about the New York State Prescription plan for seniors 65+. The website will help you understand the program benefits and eligibility. The EPIC application is also available online. If you have questions about the program call: 1-800-332-3742.
Compare Drug Prices:
The New York State Board of pharmacy publishes an annual list of the 150 most frequently prescribed drugs in the most common quantities. The New York State Department of Health collects retail price information on these drugs from pharmacies that participate in the Medicaid program and from pharmacies that submit their retail price information directly to the Department of Health. This site allows you to search for specific drugs from the most frequently prescribed drug list. Visit the website for more details http://rx.nyhealth.gov/pdpw/SearchDrugs/Home.action
Medicaid:
For Medicaid questions and eligibility information see: http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/
To apply for Medicaid (or family Health Plus) go to access NY application at :
http://www.health.ny.gov/health_care/family_health_plus/
To apply for Medicaid and food stamps together go to: https://mybenefits.ny.gov/
Medicare savings Programs, Medicaid spend down and Medicaid:
Medicare savings programs can help seniors (individuals/couples) pay for all or for portions of medical costs or Medicare premiums (depending on level of income). For an application go to: www.nyhealth.gov/health_care/medicaid/program/update/savingsprogram/msapp.pdf
A person may be able to qualify for Medicaid spend down if they spend (down) enough of their income on medical bills and qualifying medical expenses. To find out more about current Medicaid income rates visit the NYS Dept of Health Medicaid in New York State and click the link: "How do I know if I qualify for Medicaid?"
Under special circumstances, if a senior is incapable of leaving their home (must be homebound) and does not have someone to assist them in completing and submitting an application, call the Delaware County Office for the Aging in Delhi for more information or to request an application at (607) 832-5750 .
The New York State Wide Senior Action Council provides counseling to seniors seeking more information about Medicare Part D prescription coverage with EPIC. Contact 1-800-333-4374 or email [email protected] .
The NY Bridge Plan is a low cost health plan for uninsured adults and children with a pre-existing condition, who do not qualify for Medicare, Medicaid, Family Health Plus, or Child Health Plus. For more information call 1-866-693-9277 or visit www.nybridgeplan.com .
CMS/The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:
www.cms.hhs.gov
Social Security Administration:
www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213
Long Term Care Insurance can help you pay for costs related to a chronic medical condition or disabling injury while protecting your assets. LTC insurance covers services provided in a nursing home, at home, in an assisted living facility, or in other community-based settings. See http://www.nyspltc.org/ or to request NYS Partnership for Long Term Care brochures and information call (607) 832-5750 .
The Empire Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society, and Self Help Community Services website, New York Health Access, (http://nyhealthaccess.org/) is designed for consumers, caregivers, and New York State health advocates. The website assists senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, the uninsured, underinsured, and other individuals facing medical debt, access to Medicare supplemental benefits, Medicaid, Family Health Plus and Child Health Plus.
For issues that are specific to New York State residents, visit the NY State Office for the Aging HIICAP page: http://www.aging.ny.gov/HealthBenefits/Index.cfm
For general information and publications concerning Medicare
call 1-800-633-4227