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Will you have to pay more for Part D? If you have DC Medicaid, then you can choose a plan with no monthly premium. If you choose one of these special plans, then your prescriptions will cost $1 (or $3 for some drugs). Also, these special plans have no deductibles. If you do not have DC Medicaid, then you can get for "extra help" to pay for Part D. You can get this help if your income is less than $1,200 ($1,600 if you are married). The income limit is higher if you are working. If you get the extra help, then you can choose a plan with no monthly premium. If you choose one of these special plans, then your prescriptions will cost $2 (or $5 for some drugs). Also, these special plans have no deductibles. You need to apply for this extra help if Social Security takes money out of your check now for insurance. To apply, please fill out our Combined Application form. We can mail you a form if you need one. If you are already eligible as a QMB, then you do not need to apply. Please Ask: "Does Social Security take out money from your check for insurance?" If YES, ESA staff should fix any existing problems with the Medicare Buy-In (see Buy-In Procedures below). If the customer is new (or inactive), explain that he or she can apply for "extra help" to pay their Medicare costs. Please offer to mail the customer a Combined Application form. Customers can apply by mail, or if they prefer, they can come to ESA to apply. Also, remind them about the need to pick a Part D plan. If the customer already participates in the Buy-In, then just remind them that they need to pick a Part D plan between November 15 and December 31, 2005. They can pick a plan by calling (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE 1(800) 633-4227. Note: Social Security deducts overpayments from some checks; many customers think that these overpayments are actually for Medicare. If they say that they pay $50 each month for Medicare, then this is likely an overpayment. You may need to check BENDEX and clarify this for them. Should you enroll in Part D if you have insurance (other than DC Medicaid)? "Should I enroll in Part D if I have Aetna, Kaiser, or Blue Cross/Blue Shield?” Some customers get their drugs through the Veterans Administration, Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP), TriCare, or through retiree benefit programs. If this is true for you, then you may want to keep this insurance. In that case, you may not need to sign up for Part D. To talk to a counselor about this decision, call (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1(800) 633-4227). Note: Customers may confuse private retiree plans with the Medicare “Advantage” plans discussed in Question #11 below. For example, Kaiser offers both retiree plans and Medicare “Advantage” plans. However, this distinction between retiree plans and Advantage plans is very important. Please refer customers with these concerns to (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1(800) 633-4227). What if you have already signed up for ElderHealth, Kaiser, or another plan? You can change your mind and change plans. To talk to a counselor about this decision, call (202) 739- 0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1-800- 633-4227).