Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

North Carolina requires insurers to offer at least one Medicare Supplement policy to adults under sixty-five afflicted with disability.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

North Carolina mandates small employers provide continuation coverage for eighteen months although insurers can drop certain benefits available under the group plan such as vision or dental care.

Medicare Savings Program (premium support)

North Carolina has three Medicare Savings Programs:

Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMBs): For individuals with a monthly income under $903 and for couples with a monthly income under $1215, the state pays all premiums for Medicare Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Part A & Part B.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMBs): For individuals with income under $1083 or couples with income under $1457, the state pays premiums for Part B.
Qualified Individuals (QIs): For individuals with income under $1219 or for couples with an income under $1640, the state pays premiums for Part B.

To qualify for any one of these programs, participants must have assets below $6,600 or be part of a couple with assets below $9,910.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
North Carolina’s Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) can be reached via its statewide toll-free line or at one of the 110 sponsored counseling sites across the state’s 100 counties. There are 122 SHIIP coordinators and over 800 trained SHIIP volunteers serving the state’s population. SHIIP also presents to church and civic groups, writes a monthly newspaper column, and appears on live television call-in programs. The interactive “Medicare Supplement Comparison Database” is available on the SHIIP website and staff members provide “e-counseling” through the office e-mail address.

State Disability Insurance Program
North Carolina offers a high-risk pool available on the basis of Medical, HIPAA and HCTC eligibility. http://www.chand.org/

Low-Income Subsidy (“extra-help”) for Prescription Drugs
This program is a subsidy for Part D recipients with resources under $13,070 (or $26,120 for a couple) to receive money towards a Medicare prescription drug plan. The benchmark of support is different depending on which region of the country you live in. In North Carolina in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $33.00 per month.

If you live in North Carolina, and you are interested in getting a Medicare Plan, please contact the Medicare experts at eAmeriFamily Insurance. They are industry veterans and will guide you through the process of getting the right Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or MediGap Plan for you.