Oklahoma colleagues asked, Have you ever heard of anyone calling someone on the phone to tell them they need to re-apply for Extra Help?  I’ve always heard SSA sends a letter but never heard of anyone making outbound phone calls.

 

We checked with SSA and received the response below. Keep this in mind as you speak with beneficiaries this Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

 

SSA does not contact beneficiaries to tell them they need to re-apply for Extra Help. However, we do have a follow-up process in place for the Low-Income Subsidy redetermination form, SSA-1026. For the SSA-1026, we use the Medicare Reminder System (MRS) to contact beneficiaries, who have not sent in their form within the specified time, to remind them to complete the form in order to retain their Extra Help. The MRS is an automated telephone message to beneficiaries; these calls usually take place around mid-November.

 

To learn more about Extra Help/LIS, check out these resources:

·         NCOA Tip Sheet Medicare Part D Extra Help Continued Assistance: Redeeming, Redetermination, and Reassignment

·         CMS shares information at medicare.gov about the notice

 

The information contained in this electronic mail and its attachments is privileged and confidential. It is intended for the use of the addressee and others specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, you are prohibited from disseminating, distributing or copying this communication. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and notify us by replying to this e-mail immediately.