Question: I just received a document from the Chautauqua County Department of Health & Human Services telling me I have Medicaid and need to recertify within two weeks. I do not have Medicaid and I do not think I should fill out this form/application. What do you think?

Answer: There are many programs under the umbrella of the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS); just one of them being Medicaid. There are also many types and levels of Medicaid. Without looking at the letter, I would guess that you get your Medicare Part B Premium paid by either New York State or the Federal Government. This Medicare Part B Premium is the $174.70 for most Medicare enrollees. That Medicare Part B premium is usually taken out of your Social Security check each month. This benefit comes under the heading of Department of Health & Human Services and Medicaid, so it says Medicaid in the letter. Some letters actually say “During the previous year, you or a member of your household was eligible to have the Medicaid Program pay the Medicare Part B Premium.” Some letters say “During the Previous year, you or a member of your household were eligible for Medicaid.”

This letter is saying that at sometime in the last year, or prior to that time, you applied for a benefit that would have added that Medicare Part B premium back into your Social Security check. You would have gotten a letter from Social Security explaining the new payment level and why. This benefit is called the QI-1 benefit, or the Medicare Savings Program (MSP). This benefit, like many others, needs to be recertified (or re-applied for) each year. The DHHS office sends out the annual re-certifications and prior to COVID it was done at this time of year.

Anyone who has applied for, or had a continuing benefit during the year for this program, is required to recertify annually. The form is mailed to them and due back within two to three weeks.

If you choose not to complete the form or don’t return it, your benefit will stop. That means your Social Security will go down by $174.70, because you will be paying the Medicare Part B premium again. I would therefore recommend that you complete this form and send it back with the requested documents. You can also call DHHS, at the number on the letter and ask for help in determining what program you are in. If it is the benefit I have been talking about, complete the form and send it in. You will continue to get the higher Social Security amount.

I consider this benefit a “gateway” benefit. Once approved, there are many other benefits that you are automatically approved for, such as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS) from Social Security to help with Medicare Part D costs.

This QI-1 benefit allows an individual to have monthly income up to $2,355 and two persons up to $3,189 per month. This benefit does not consider the money you have as assets (like in the bank, or investments), only the income you receive. This benefit also allows for a reduction to your income by the amount you pay in insurance premiums. Not all insurance premiums, but premiums for health insurance, prescription drug coverage insurance, dental insurance, and long term care insurance. So if you have Dental insurance for $34 per month and Health Insurance for $209 per month, your income could be up to $2598 per month and you would still be eligible for this benefit. The same is true for couples. Their income could be closer to $3675 per month and still be eligible. So, there are many individuals and couples who may be eligible for this benefit.

There are many programs that require an annual recertification. This simply means you have to inform DHHS of your financial situation again, including your income, your expenses and for some, your assets. Some of these programs are: QI-1 (the one we talked about above), EPIC, SNAP (Food Stamps), HEAP, and Low Income Subsidy (LIS), to just name a few. For the time it takes to complete the annual form, you get a year’s worth of benefits. For most this is a very good deal.

If you look back to your approval letter when you were approved for this program, you will see the Department of Health & Human Services letterhead. Most individuals don’t remember that or notice the name until they get the recertification forms.

I am always cautious in advising on completing forms and mailing them back to someone without understanding what it is and why, so I am glad you asked. Always call for more information if you are unsure about the requests. If you are not comfortable with this answer or are still unsure, review it with family, the Office For the Aging or a professional in the field.

Janell Sluga is a Geriatric Care Manager helping seniors in our community access services and insurance. To reach her, please email editorial@post-journal.com.