The SCADC State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) assists Medicare-eligible individuals in several counties by providing education, counseling, and enrollment support for various Medicare plans. The open enrollment period for 2020 will run from October 15 to December 7, and SHIP offers personalized comparisons to help beneficiaries make informed decisions. Furthermore, qualified individuals may access programs to reduce healthcare costs, and assistance is available through SHIP via phone or online during the enrollment period.

1. SCADC SHIP

2. SCADC SHIP
■ The SCADC State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) serves Lowndes, Macon, Bullock,
Pike, Butler, and Crenshaw Counties in the SCADC Region.
■ The mission of the SHIP Program is to educate, and assist Medicare-eligible individuals,
their families, and caregivers through outreach and counseling, and to assist
beneficiaries in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize access to cost
effective health care and benefits.
■ The SHIP program is free for anyone who is Medicare eligible.

3. Certified SHIP counselors are available to
answer questions about:
■ Medicare;
■ Medicare Advantage Plans;
■ Special Needs Plans;
■ Part D drug plans;
■ Medigap plans and ;
■ Assist in enrollment options, information on using preventive services and screening
for help in lowering health care cost through the Medicare Savings Programs and
LIS.

4. Important to Remember
■ Open Enrollment will begin on October 15 and end December 7 which will give
Medicare Beneficiaries the opportunity to change their current health care coverage
and join new plans.
■ This can be a confusing time for many Medicare beneficiaries. Leading up to OEP,
ads will occupy our televisions in an attempt to get people to join whichever plan is
being promoted.
■ The SHIP program is here to clear up questions you may have. Recognize that just
because you are seeing something on TV does not mean it is available in your area
or that it is the best plan for you.

5. Important to Remember
■ The SHIP program does not endorse plans and we cannot tell you which plan to
enroll in.
■ The SHIP program can help you make the most informed decision based on your
current health care needs by providing you with personalized health care and
prescription drug comparisons.

6. Screening for Extra Help
■ SCADC SHIP can screen you to determine if you qualify for programs which will help in reducing
your health care cost.
■ Individuals and couples with limited income and resources may qualify for extra help. There are two
programs which you can apply for:
Low Income Subsidy (LIS)- Income and resource limits apply. Application made
through the Social Security Office or on-line at www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp. Beneficiaries may
also obtain assistance by contacting SHIP at 1-800-270-7635.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) - Income limits only. Resources do not count in
Alabama. Estate Recovery does not apply to the MSP benefits paid. Applications are approved through
the Alabama Medicaid Agency.. Medicare Beneficiaries may obtain assistance with applications by
contacting SHIP . .

7. Maximum Income
&
Resources
If you have income at or below the amounts listed below let SHIP screen you to
determine if you qualify for assistance through one of the Extra Help
Programs:
■ In 2020, annual income & resources cannot exceed the following. These
amounts are subject to change in January 2021. The income limit for persons
living in Alaska and Hawaii are higher than those listed below for the 48 States
and District of Columbia;
■ Single: income < $1,615.00 monthly gross maximum and resources <
$14,610;
■ Married: Living together, income < $2,174.99 monthly gross maximum and
resources < $29,160.
■ Income limits increase for LIS if there are additional family members living
together. Resources do not count for the Medicare Savings Programs.

8. Benefits of Extra Help
People who qualify for Extra Help and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or a
Medicare Advantage Plan with Prescription coverage will benefit as follows:
* Help paying for the drug plans monthly premium;
* Reduced or no annual deductibles;
* Reduced co-pays for prescriptions;
* No enrollment penalties;
* No Coverage Gap in Donut Hole and;
* Can switch plans and coverage outside Open Enrollment once during
January-March, once during April-June, once during July-September.

9. Benefits of Extra Help
• You can receive a 90-day supply of your medication for the same cost as
a 30-day supply, but must ask your physician to write your prescription
for a 90-day supply. This benefit does not apply to Opiates and other
controlled substances.
• Drug cost in 2020 for those who qualify for Extra Help will be no more
than $3.60 for each generic and $8.95 for each brand name drug. These
amounts are likely to change in 2021.
• No Part D late enrollment penalty even if you enrolled late (that is,
after you were first eligible to join a Part D plan when you did not have
other drug coverage).

10. Open Enrollment 2020
■ Medicare Annual Open Enrollment officially begins on October 15, 2020 and will
end on December 7, 2020. Changes made to your health care will take affect on
January 1, 2021.
■ It is important to look at your current health care coverage.
■ Your drug formulary can change from year to year, co-pays and deductibles may
increase and coverage changes can occur. Failure to have a comparison done each
year can cost you thousands of dollars in out of pocket cost.

11. Open Enrollment 2020
■ Know what your cost and coverage will be when your new coverage begins on January 1,
2021, by calling SHIP and having us assist you.
■ During the current health care emergency and through this years Open Enrollment we
will be offering SHIP counseling and assistance to you via ZOOM, telephone, and limited
face to face opportunities within health recommended guidelines.
■ We encourage you to call us toll free at 1-800-270-7635 and to visit our SCADC
Medicare Counseling FB Page.

12. Contact
DAWN GLASCOCK, LEGAL ASSISTANT, SCADC SHIP Coordinator
■ JAN NEAL LAW FIRM, LLC
Alabama Elder and Special Needs Law
dawn.glascock@gmail.com
1-800-270-7635
www.janneallaw.com
www.facebook.com/scadcmedicarecounseling/