Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Utah has no laws requiring insurers to offer Medicare Supplement policies to individuals with disabilities.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

Utah requires small employers to provide twelve months of continuation coverage.

Medicare Savings Program (premium support)

Utah 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 $1214, the state pays all premiums for 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 $1218 or for couples with an income under $1639, 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
Utah’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIP) oversees 12 local Area Agencies on Aging that manage the activities of 102 trained volunteers. SHIP services are largely provided over the phone. An in-state toll free line automatically routes callers to the appropriate local office. SHIP has a brochure (in both English and Spanish) now distributed with the Medicare Summary Notice.
http://www.hsdaas.utah.gov/insurance_programs.htm

High-Risk Pool
Utah does have a high-risk insurance pool, with entrance subject to medical and HIPAA eligibility criteria.

State Tax Credit for Health Insurance
Utah offers a nonrefundable tax credit to individuals not participating in a health benefit plan maintained and funded in whole or part by an employer. The credit amounts to 5% of cost of the premiums (minus certain expenses). The maximum credit is $300 (single taxpayer with no dependents), $600 (married couple with no dependents) and $900 (taxpay with dependents).

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 Utah in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $40.86 per month.

If you live in Utah, 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.