1. NAME OF PROGRAM: Medicare-Aid (MQB)

2. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: Medicare-Aid is a special Medicaid program for people who have Medicare and also have limited income and resources. It is a free program that helps pay your Medicare premiums, co-payments and deductibles. There are several Medicare-Aid programs, which are also known as Medicare Savings Programs: MQB-Q, MQB-B, MQB-E and MQB-QI.

1. MQB-Q (Comprehensive Medicare-Aid) covers the Medicare Part B premium, the Part B deductible for doctor bills, the Part A hospital deductible, 20% co-payment of Part B approved costs and co-payment for Medicare approved skilled nursing home care.
2. MQB-B (Limited Medicare-Aid) covers only the Medicare Part B premium.
3. MQB-E (Limited Medicare-Aid Capped Enrollment) also covers only the Medicare Part B premium for those people whose income is too high to qualify for MQB-B.
4. MQB-QI (Medicare-Aid Partial Reimbursement) only pays a portion of the Medicare Part B premium attributed to Medicare Home Health. You only get a check once a year.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application for Medicare-Aid (MQB) services is made with the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services through the Adult Service Intake unit. Applications generally need to be made in person by the applicant or his representative. If unable to come to the agency the supervisor of the unit should be contacted to discuss options available. No specific information is required to apply for Medicaid. However, it is helpful to have the applicant's Social Security Number, proof of income and information about resources (such as bank account numbers and insurance policy numbers). If self-employed, business records and/or tax records would be helpful.

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have Medicare coverage (A and B).
2. Have monthly income between $736 and $1,273 for individuals or between $988 and $1,714 for couples (the type of coverage is based on the income level). Income includes: Social Security, Veterans Benefits, pensions and other retirement benefits, wages (some income can be disregarded).
3. The amount of income determines the specific level of coverage available.
4. Resources must be no more than $4,000 for an individual, or $6,000 for a couple. Resources include: cash, bank accounts, a second car, retirement accounts, stocks and bonds, real estate that is not your home. Resources do not include your home, one car, household furnishings, clothing or other personal effects such as jewelry.

5. OTHER PROGRAM DETAILS: Medicare Aid only pays Medicare premiums, co-payments and deductibles. Medicare-Aid only pays for services covered by Medicare. Therefore, it DOES NOT pay for prescriptions or eyeglasses. If you are approved for Medicare Aid, any Medi-gap insurance will be suspended for up to 24 months. This means that the Medi-gap insurance policy may be resumed during that 24 months if Medicare Aid benefits stop. After 24 months if Medicare-Aid benefits stop, a reapplication for Medi-gap insurance must be made and is not guaranteed to be approved.

6. DATE OF INFORMATION: April 23, 2001