Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Contact Social Security for details on income and resource limits. Helps pay for the costs of monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments related to your Medicare prescription drug plan. If you already receive Extra Help, you will not need to reapply in 2010. SS will see if you are entitled to any additional Extra Help because they no longer count your life insurance or help with household expenses. SS will send information to your state notifying them you may eligible for a Medicare Savings Program which may help with Parts A and B.

Pregnant women can apply for Medicaid through a MOMS or PCAP provider for presumptive Medicaid coverage which will begin paying for the pregnant woman’s medical bills as soon as she applies if she is within certain income guidelines.

A registered nurse will visit you in your home to assist you with getting insurance and other help for your pregnancy.

The goal of the Sheepshead-Nostrand NORC Supportive Service Program is to promote healthy, successful aging in addition to providing on-site services to residents of the Sheepshead and Nostrand Houses who are 60 years of age and over. The services include: on-site nurse, blood pressure screening and medication review. Social Services include: advocacy, entitlement assistance, information, referral and case management; recreation, education and volunteer opportunities; escorting seniors to appointments, telephone reassurance, and visit homebound Seniors. Case managers provide services in the following languages: English, Spanish, Russian and Creole.á

Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP)

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program (HIICAP) is a federally-funded program from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and is administered by the New York State Office for the Aging through the Schenectady County Department of Long Term Care and Catholic Charities Senior & Caregiver Support Services.

HIICAP provides Medicare beneficiaries with information, education, and counseling about Medicare and other health insurances. The HIICAP counseling process includes a complete review of an individual’s current and anticipated medical and prescription drug coverage needs. HIICAP staff and volunteers serve over 2000 seniors throughout Schenectady County, are not associated with any insurance company, and do not sell insurance products. Counseling is non-biased, confidential, and free.

This program is funded by Schenectady County Senior & Long Term Care Services and has been a operated by Catholic Charities for over 20 years.

How Can HIICAP Help Me?

HIICAP helps you:

•Choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans including HMOs, PPOs, Private Fee for Service (PFFS), Special Needs Plans, and Medical Savings Accounts

•Understand Medicare rules and your medical bills

•Understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan

•Understand low-income subsidy programs, including “Extra Help” and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)

•Find available options that may help pay for your prescription drugs or medical equipment

•Understand and apply for Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

•Report possible Medicare fraud or abuse

•Appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider, or other health insurance company

•Explore ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps

•Learn about prevention and screening coverage that keeps you healthy or helps detect issues early

I Have More Medicare Questions, Who Do I Call?

For current information on Medicare, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, managed care, or Medicare Advantage, log on to www.medicare.gov.

Volunteer Opportunities

Opportunities are available for volunteers with an understanding of or interest in learning Medicare guidelines to assist the senior community with education, assessment, and enrollment. Comprehensive training and commitment to a regular schedule are required. For additional information on volunteering, call (518) 372-5667.

Contact Us...

Schenectady County residents can contact the local HIICAP office at (518) 372-5667 or call the local HIICAP Hotline at 800-701-0501 for issues that are specific to New York State residents (or visit the HIICAP website at www.aging.ny.gov/HealthBenefits).

MEDICAID CHRONIC CARE SECTION

(PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAMS)

Onondaga County Office Building

600 S. State St

Syracuse, New York 13202

Hours: 8:00 AM- 4:30 PM (Monday-Friday)

Telephone: (315) 435-2928 Fax: (315) 435-8530

The Medicaid Chronic Care Unit processes Medicaid applications for those individuals who are seeking help in paying for nursing home or long term home health care services.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Financial eligibility is determined based on the income and resource standards governing the Medicaid Program. A Supplemental Security Income recipient is granted Medicaid based upon his/her certification for SSI Benefits.

BENEFIT LEVELS

The amount of assistance that the Medicaid program will pay toward the cost of nursing home and/or home care services is determined using a comparison of the available income and resources of the applicant against the cost of the medical services

needed. Since each financial and medical circumstance is unique, the regulations and policies governing what assets are exempt and what assets are used in the determination of eligibility vary, therefore, income and resource standards are not listed here. Anyone who needs financial assistance in paying for nursing home or long term home health care services is encouraged to contact our office for consultation regarding their specific need for benefits.

The Health Insurance Assistance Program helps area residents to obtain health insurance through the NY State of Health Insurance Marketplace. Navigators guide individuals through the enrollment process, help them find the right health insurance based on their needs and work with them to determine if they can get financial assistance to reduce the cost of coverage.

Supplemental Health Protection

Medicaid clients should contact MAXIMUS to access in-home personal care services in Delaware County.

“[Medicare] helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage, you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy from a private insurance company.”

NOTE: Typically, the SSA office can meet people in person to facilitate any service provides on the website. While pandemic precautions are in place, the SSA office only has meetings by appointment for extreme emergencies: to assist someone who never had a social security number and needs it for medical or employment purposes.

The Utica SSA office services people as far west as Canastota, as far east as Little Falls, as far north as Old Forge, and as far South as Earleville.

EPIC Program participants can save a substantial portion of their costs for prescription drugs.
Recent changes have simplified the Program. Use EPIC for even more savings with the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. We will be able to give you all the necessary information about guidelines, payment schedules, processing your application and registering for this program.
(914) 813-6300 or 1-(800) 332-3742