What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B offers medical coverage for medically necessary and preventive services such as doctors' visits and outpatient care. This is offered in addition to hospital coverage available through Medicare Part A.

Part B is optional but highly recommended. Part B includes a monthly premium that you are responsible for paying.

Am I eligible for Medicare Part B?

You are eligible for Part B if you meet these Medicare eligibility requirements:

• You are 65 or older, or
• You are under age 65 with certain disabilities, or
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease, and
• You are a US citizen.

Can Evergreen pay for my Medicare Part B?

We can pay Medicare Part B premiums only for a small group of clients. These are the criteria:

• You must receive a quarterly or monthly bill for your Part B premium. This is generally true for Medicare clients who have returned to work and no longer receive SSDI income.
• Evergreen can pay your Part B premium only if we receive a copy of this bill, and only when we receive this bill. If we are paying your premium, please send us every Part B coverage bill you receive.

Please note that if you receive SSDI income, your Part B premium is automatically deducted from your Social Security check. You cannot have this deduction stopped. Because we cannot make payments to individuals, we cannot assist you if this is the case.

• However, the Medicare Savings Program may be able to assist you if your income is 100-135% of the Federal Poverty Level, and your assets are up to $4000 ($6000 for couples).

How do I apply for Medicare Part B?

After you apply with Social Security and are accepted onto one of their programs you will be sent a notice from Medicare when you become eligible for Part A and/or Part B. At that time, you may enroll by mail. We strongly recommend enrolling in Part B when you first become eligible. This will enable you to have additional medical coverage, and helps protect you from paying higher premiums later on.

If you return to work and start receiving bills for your Part B premium directly, you can apply to Evergreen for assistance.

• Submit your Medicare Part B bill along with an application to Evergreen. Also enroll in EIP if you are not a current EIP client.
• We will process your application and send a check to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). In order to continue paying, we will need to receive a bill every time you get one.

Other important information about Medicare Part B

• Starting January 1, 2007, your Part B premium is based on your income.
• If you do not enroll in Part B when you first become eligible, the Part B premium cost will increase by ten percent for each full 12-month period you do not enroll.
• Your Part B enrollment period and rights may be affected by other coverage you have through an employer or group. Enrollment may also be impacted by COBRA coverage you have through a previous employer.

For more detailed information please visit the Medicare website.