"I helped my mom save $3,600 on prescription drugs and you can too."
As millions greet their moms Sunday with a "Happy Mother's Day," the Social Security Administration is using the tagline above to spread the word of how they're helping cut Medicare drug costs for those in need.
Have a parent on Medicare and with limited income? According to Paul D. Barnes, the Social Security Administration's regional commissioner, his office wants to hear from you.
Barnes, from his Atlanta office, said Congress passed a law in January 2006 for Medicare to expand to cover prescription drugs. And when Congress approved that motion, they also allowed Medicare beneficiaries to apply for extra help if they needed it.
The only problem? Not enough people know they're eligible. ..
Actually, I think there is another problem, lack of Social Security personnel to help with Medicare issues.
Too many people contact SSA about Medicare issues which should be addressed to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) of the Department of DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services). Medicare was separated from SSA back in about 1978 when HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) took responsibility. SSA only handles enrollment and disenrollment. Questions on coverage and policy are no longer handled by SSA and employees are no longer trained in those areas. Those with intenet access should check out Medicare.gov which has a lot of good information.
ReplyDelete