Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Oregon requires insurers to offer at least one Medicare Supplement policy to adults under sixty-five.

Mini-COBRA Policies (Small Group)

Oregon requires small employers providing group coverage to continue for nine months following termination of employment. However, group coverage providers can choose to drop certain benefits (e.g. dental, prescription drug coverage).

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

Oregon offers a Pharmaceutical Assistance program for those who need help paying for HIV-AIDS drugs.http://www.oregon.gov/oha/pharmacy/pages/careassist/index.aspx

Medicare Savings Programs

Oregon 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 Part B and all Co-Pays and Deductibles for Medicare Parts A & 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)
The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program (SHIBA) is a statewide network of trained volunteers who educate, assist, and serve as advocates for people in Oregon with Medicare. SHIBA volunteers help people with Medicare understand their rights and options in health insurance so that they can make informed choices. SHIBA provides Medicare recipients with the most up-to-date information on Medicare and related insurance through trained volunteers, as well as through education and outreach. The program is funded in part by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

http://www.oregon.gov/DCBS/SHIBA/Pages/about_us.aspx

State High-Risk Insurance Pool
Oregon has a high-risk pool available on the basis of medical eligibility.

http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OPHP/OMIP/Pages/apply_omip.aspx

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 Oregon in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $34.32 per month.

If you live in Oregon 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.