SHIBA News Flash

If you can’t see this email? View it online

SHIBA News Flash

Medicare announces 2016 Part A and B premiums and deductibles

Part B premium/deductibles - Due to Social Security not providing a cost of living increase for 2016, by law, most people with Medicare Part B will not see an increase in premiums for 2016.  They will pay the same monthly premium as last year, which is $104.90. 

Beneficiaries who will have a Part B premium increase (they’ll pay $121.80) include those: 

• Not collecting Social Security benefits
• Enrolling in Part B for the first time in 2016
• Dual eligible beneficiaries who have their premiums paid by Medicaid
• Beneficiaries who pay an additional income-related premium 

Medicare also announced that the Part B annual deductible for all beneficiaries will be $166 in 2016. Premiums for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug plans already finalized are unaffected by this announcement. 

Part A premium/deductibles - Part A enrollees age 65 and over who have fewer than 40 quarters of coverage and certain persons with disabilities pay a monthly premium to receive coverage under Part A. People with 30-39 quarters of coverage may buy into Part A at a reduced monthly premium rate, which will be $226 in 2016, a $2 increase from 2015. Those with less than 30 quarters of coverage pay the full premium, which will be $411 a month, a $4 increase from 2015. 

WSHIP continues to offer the Medicare Basic Plan

The Washington State Health Insurance Pool (WSHIP) is still offering the Medicare Basic Plan for qualified people enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. WSHIP pays as the secondary insurance and covers patient responsibility for eligible expenses. This plan does not provide prescription drug coverage, except for supplemental benefits for medications covered under Medicare Part B. Under Washington state law, if clients live in a county with a reasonable choice of Medicare Advantage plans, they’re not eligible for WSHIP.   

If clients live in a county where their Medicare Advantage plan is leaving at the end of 2015, they’re guaranteed a Medigap plan without a health screening.  However, this guarantee is only available to people who are age 65 or older.  The WSHIP Basic Plan could be an answer for clients who face large medical costs and are unable to buy a Medigap because they’re under age 65.  It also could be an option for someone who’s over 65 and unable to get a Medigap for other reasons. 

SMP newsletter shares fraud information from other states

To learn more about what other states are doing with regard to Medicare fraud, check out the Senior Medicare Patrol’s (SMP) newsletter, The Sentinel. 

Whatcom SHIBA volunteer passes away

Barbara Siemion, who was a SHIBA volunteer with Whatcom Alliance for Health Advancement between 2003 and 2009, passed away peacefully at age 83 at Whatcom Hospice House on Sept. 1, 2015.  She was surrounded by family and friends.  

Remarkably, Barb survived an unprecedented 10 plus years with pancreatic cancer and underwent several difficult regimes of chemotherapy. She was tougher than most and was not going to give in to cancer without a fight. 

A dedicated volunteer throughout her retirement, Barb gave her time generously not only to the SHIBA program, but to the Ferndale Senior Center, Office of the Attorney General, Bellingham Assistance League, Ferndale Chamber of Commerce, Consumer Protection Hotline, Hovander House, and many other local organizations. Volunteering is what motivated Barb the most and she called it “her therapy.” Rest in peace Barb, we’ll miss you.