Some seniors could qualify for Medicare cost assistance

Roughly 1,800 Flathead residents tapping into Medicare could be up for additional benefits, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The Social Security Administration mailed out the notifications to county residents this month. Those who are eligible for the benefits could get help paying Medicare prescription drug coverage costs and insurance premiums among other things.

Flathead County Agency on Aging officials are hoping to learn who those letters went to and whether they can help connect locals to the extra benefits.

“We can help those people apply for the benefits and maybe save some money,” said agency Director Lisa Sheppard.

She said the assistance comes through the Extra Help program. To use the service, enrollees must be tied to a Medicare prescription drug plan.

To qualify, a Medicare single enrollee should have a yearly income of less than $17,505 or $23,595 for married couples living together. The income requirements can be higher if the applicant is supporting other people who live with them.

The applicant’s resources should not be more than $13,440 — whether that’s money stored in bank accounts, stocks, or bonds. That amount increases to $26,860 if the applicant is married and living with their spouse.

“These are people who payed into the system all these years,” Sheppard said. “It’s time they had some support.”

For free application assistance for the Extra Help program, call the Flathead Agency on Aging at 406-758-5730 or stop in at 40 11th St. W., Suite 100, Kalispell. Applicants can also contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.