Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies

Vermont requires insurers to offer at least one Medicare Supplement policy to disabled adults under sixty-five. However, there are no Medicare Supplement policies available to people with ESRD under sixty-five.

Mini-COBRA Policies (small group)

Vermont requires small employers to provide twelve months of continuation coverage but group insurers can choose to drop some benefits for employees after they've been laid off.

Medicare Savings Program (premium support)

Vermont 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 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
The Northeastern Vermont Area Agency on Aging is the current host of the SHIP program and employs a full time SHIP director who is responsible for the statewide program. The other four AAAs employ a SHIP regional coordinator who is responsible for the local program in the given service area. The program consists of The Senior Helpline, a statewide toll free line, directs calls to local Information and Assistance staff at the AAAs.

www.medicarehelpvt.net

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Vermont has four pharmaceutical assistance programs to help senior and adults with disabilities both on and not on Medicare. In addition, there is money available for low-income families in Vermont.
http://www.greenmountaincare.org/vermont-health-insurance-plans/prescription-assistance

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 Vermont in 2012, the low-income subsidy was $32.04 per month.

If you live in Vermont, 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.