Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 8, 2024 Say nir Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Get ‘Extra Help’ Paying for Prescriptions Dear Savvy Senior, Does Medicare off er any fi - nancial assistance programs to help seniors with their medication costs? I recently enrolled in a Medicare drug plan, but I take some expensive medications that have high out-ofpocket costs and need some help. Living on a Shoestring Dear Living, Yes, there’s a low-income subsidy program called ‘Extra Help’ that assists Medicare benefi ciaries on a tight budget by paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to their Medicare (Part D) prescription drug coverage. And, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law in late 2022, this program has expanded and gotten easier to qualify for in 2024. Even if you’ve applied and didn’t qualify before, you may be eligible now. The Extra Help benefi t is estimated to be worth about $5,300 per year. Currently over 13 million people are receiving this subsidy, but there’s around 3 million more who may qualify for it but don’t realize it. The amount of fi nancial assistance you would receive depends on your income and assets. If you qualify, you’ll pay no premium or deductible (unless receiving a partial subsidy), and no more than $4.50 for each generic drug or $11.20 for each brand-name drug your plan covers in 2024. To get the subsidy, your resources must be limited to $17,220 or $34,360 for married couples living together. Bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and IRAs count as assets, but your home, vehicle, personal belongings, life insurance and burial plots do not. Also, your annual income must be limited to $22,590 for an individual or $30,660 for married couples. If you support a family member who lives with you, or you live in Alaska or Hawaii, your income can be higher. In addition, the government won’t count any money if you reOther Medicare Assistance If you’re eligible for Extra Help, you may also qualify for help with your other Medicare expenses through your state’s Medicare Savings Program. State Medicaid programs partner with the federal government, so income and asset qualifications vary depending on where you live. Medicare Savings Programs will pay your entire Medicare Part B premium each month. And in some cases, they may also pay your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, depending on your income level. To fi nd out if you qualify, contact your state Medicaid offi ce. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. Visit ShipHelp.org or call 877839-2675 to locate a counselor in your area. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ceive help for household expenses like food, rent, mortgage payments, utilities and property taxes. How to Apply There are three ways to see if you qualify and apply for Extra Help: online at SSA. gov/medicare/part-d-extrahelp; by calling Social Security at 800-772-1213; or by visiting your local Social Security offi ce. The application form is easy to complete, but you will need your Social Security number and information about your bank balances, pensions and investments. Social Security will review your application and send you a letter within a few weeks letting you know whether you qualify. If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, you may still be able to get help from a state pharmacy assistance program or a patient assistance program. Visit NeedyMeds.org to search for these programs. nior ior TOWN MEETING | FROM PAGE 12 support that issue. We all have to work together for the benefi t of Saugus. I try to work with members from my precinct and other precincts for issues that will benefi t all. This is an example of how we support each other’s precincts, however no action on the park has been taken to date. A few years ago I had suggested a park on top of Baker Hill at the old water tower site. It doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor, however it could be something the community could really use since the closest other park is a distance away, across major roads and at least 190 feet downhill from the area. It was supported by the Town Meeting members from that precinct and others. Question Three: Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish. Robert Camuso Sr. I’m always open to help, supporting any great opportunities or ideas that will better our town of Saugus with any Town meeting colleague. Matthew Parlante For this year’s Town Meeting, I am actively involved in proposing articles aimed at enhancing our local governance and community engagement. Here are the initiatives I will be introducing: Formation of a Charter Review Committee: The fi rst article seeks to establish a Charter Review Committee tasked with evaluating our town’s current charter and identifying opportunities for updates that benefit all of our residents. Unlike the previous Charter Commission, this review process does not entail altering our form of government, alleviating concerns regarding potential Town vs. City debates. Our charter is outdated and needs revision to better serve the needs of modern-day Saugus, while also anticipating future challenges. Moreover, there’s a critical need to address the disproportionately low number of Town Meeting Members compared to other municipalities in the state. With only 50 members, and a signifi cant portion tied to town employment or other committees, broader representation is essential to mitigate confl icts of interest and ensure fair decision-making. Establishment of a Community Outreach Committee: The second article proposes the formation of a “Community Outreach Committee” aimed at fostering greater engagement in local government. The committee’s primary objectives include educating residents about our form of government, available resources, and facilitating more community-based events to cultivate a sense of belonging and civic pride. By encouraging broader participation, especially among our youth, we aspire to invigorate our Town’s spirit and encourage active involvement in shaping its future. Both initiatives underscore my commitment to transparent and inclusive governance, where the voices and interests of all residents are heard and valued. Through collaborative eff orts and proactive measures, I aim to strengthen Saugus’s democratic foundations and foster a vibrant, engaged community. Question Four: Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting. Robert Camuso Sr. Saugus needs more open Green Space – as everyone can see we’re losing open parcels to developers everywhere around town. I would like to see a program put into place to buy & preserve open green space in Saugus before it’s gone forever. The empty schools are a concern. I would like to see them turned into useful areas for all of Saugus residents to use not specifi c groups. Westside fi re station is a hot topic – also the needs of this town should outweigh any wants. Residents need to get more involved. It’s only going to better our chances to overcome the situations & issues we are faced with. Voting is a good start – there’s 28,000plus Saugus residents but only 4,000 to 5,000 vote. Jeanette E. Meredith As a new Town Meeting member I am listening, learning, asking questions, and looking forward to working with my fellow town meeting members and the Town Manager on improving the things that are important to our residents and our Town of Saugus. Matthew Parlante I’m excited about the upcoming Town Meeting. Our form of government is designed to empower residents, ensuring they have a direct say through their Precinct representatives in critical matters such as the budget, by-laws, and zoning regulations. I am confi dent that we will come together to prioritize the interests of the residents above all else. As a representative of Precinct 2, I am dedicated to keeping my residents informed about important decisions and seeking their input to ensure that their voices are heard and valued. By fostering open communication and collaboration, we can work together to serve the best interests of our Town and its residents. I look forward to contributing to this process and advocating for positive change in our community. Peter A. Rossetti Jr. I think the upcoming Town meeting will be very interesting with the new members. Many of them seem interested in bettering the Town and becoming more involved in improving the Town. I am looking forward to it.
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