{"id":3675,"date":"2012-03-06T10:00:26","date_gmt":"2012-03-06T15:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hitconsultant.net\/?p=3675"},"modified":"2023-09-06T14:40:56","modified_gmt":"2023-09-06T18:40:56","slug":"seniors-are-losing-billions-of-dollars-buried-in-unused-benefits-from-medicare-and-other-agencies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hitconsultant.net\/2012\/03\/06\/seniors-are-losing-billions-of-dollars-buried-in-unused-benefits-from-medicare-and-other-agencies\/","title":{"rendered":"Seniors are Losing Billions of Dollars Buried in Unused Benefits from Medicare and Other Agencies"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"
Money doesn't grow on trees, but billions of dollars are buried in unused benefits.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guest post by Peggy Gavan<\/p>\n

According to a report released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA<\/a>) and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a<\/a>), millions of low-income older adults are missing out on over $20 billion in free and low-cost support that could help pay for health care, prescriptions, food, and utilities. The main reason why seniors are not taking advantage of these resources? They simply don\u2019t know the money is there for them.<\/div>\n

In response to this disconnect, the NCOA\u00a0and n4a have launched a campaign, \u201cYou Gave, Now Save,\u201d to help connect available funding to those who need it the most.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is no secret that millions and millions of Americans are struggling right now, but help is just a phone call away,\u201d said Sandy Markwood, CEO of n4a, in a\u00a0news release<\/a>. \u201cThe aging network is coming together to do everything we can to communicate with older adults and caregivers who demand these services, and let them know that support is available. This campaign is about connecting those in need with the support that is right at their fingertips.\u201d<\/p>\n

Medicare Part D Extra Help counts for $6.8 billion in unused benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to the NCOA, the $20 billion is based on estimates of the collective population eligible for benefits but not receiving them. One of these benefits is Part D Extra Help, which helps Medicare beneficiaries pay for their prescription drug costs. According to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS<\/a>), 1.7 million eligible people are not taking advantage of Extra Help, which has an annual average value of $4,000.<\/p>\n

For more information about Extra Help, please\u00a0see my\u00a0October 8, 2011<\/a>\u00a0post. You can also\u00a0click here<\/a>, contact your local Social Security office, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).<\/p>\n

You Gave, Now Save connects seniors with benefits
\n<\/strong>
\nThe You Gave, Now Save campaign directs seniors to two great resources that can help you connect with potential support:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0NCOA\u2019s\u00a0BenefitsCheckUp<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>is a free online screening tool that has more than 2,000 public and private programs for low-income people with Medicare.<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0The Eldercare Locator<\/strong>\u00a0<\/a>(1-800-677-1116), a public service of the\u00a0U.S. Administration on Aging<\/a>, connects older adults and their families to local agencies and organizations that can assist them with applying for support from a variety of programs. Some of these programs include home heating and cooling assistance as well as free or discounted services from state and local governments and the private sector that provide tax breaks, legal assistance, and in-home assistance. You can go online or reach them at 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.<\/p>\n

About Peggy Gavan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Peggy Gavan is a \u00a0writer\/blogger for a national Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) serving over 4 million Medicare beneficiaries. She has been \u00a0helping plan members better understand Medicare Part D and get the best value from their benefit since 2006. Peggy has her own blog, The Medicare Diva<\/a> where her mission is to\u00a0\u00a0help seniors make more sense of Medicare and save money on their prescription drugs by\u00a0sharing helpful tips and important news about prescription drug coverage.<\/p>\n

Follow Peggy on Twitter @themeddiva<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit The Medicare Dvia blog<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Guest post by Peggy Gavan According to a report released by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), millions of low-income older adults are missing out on over $20 billion in free and low-cost support that could help pay for health care, prescriptions, food, and utilities. 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