Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Elderly Not Getting Entitlements

Right now, less than half, nearly 5 million, of the nation's neediest, most vulnerable older persons who are eligible for public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Food Stamps and Medicaid actually receive them. Part of the problem is that many eligible persons don't know about these benefits or how and where to apply for them.

The American Association of Retired Persons may be able to help.

AARP, the leading organization for people age 50 and older for nearly four decades, seeks to educate and enroll older persons in these misunderstood and underutilized programs through its Public Benefits Outreach effort. This is part of the organization's new mission of becoming a dynamic presence in every community, shaping and enriching the experience of aging for each member and for society.

"Initially, AARP's efforts will focus on Medicaid, a federal program that provides health care to low-income persons of all ages, including the elderly," according to Martha Duerksen, AARP's Economic Security-Income Maintenance Specialist in the Southwest Region. "For millions of older Americans with limited income, health care seems like a luxury they can't afford."

Medicaid, a separate program from Medicare, is called "Medical Assistance" in some states. One popular feature is helping to pay for prescription drugs and some health services not covered by Medicare. Other services might include nursing home care, physician exams, in-home services and transportation costs related to medical care.

To be eligible for Medicaid, persons must be able to meet income and resource guidelines. In most states, ederly citizens who receive monthly benefits through SSI are automatically eligible. Most elderly persons with income below the poverty level are also eligible for assistance in paying their medicare expenses under the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program.

Under QMB, state Medicaid programs will pay for Medicare premiums for physician and outpatient visits, hospital deductiables and cost-sharing expenses. These out-of-pocket costs are too expensive for many people, but must be paid for Medicare benefits to remain active.

A related program, the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), covers only monthly premiums for physician and outpatients visits for elderly individuals with slightly higher incomes.

"Through Medicaid, costly health services are made more affordable," Duerksen said. "AARP is excited about the opportunity to help recruit millions of elderly persons eligible for this public benefit. Many don't know Medicaid will pay for certain services not covered by Medicare. Still others have difficulty with the application process and can't get to the appropriate office. In many communities, homebound persons are visited by a caseworker, or they can have a representative apply on their behalf."

For more information about the medicaid program in Arkansas, contact your local Department of Social Services, usually listed under "government agencies." Or call the Health Care Financing Administration at 800-638- 6833.