Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP):

The mission of the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is to educate, counsel and empower older adults and individuals with disabilities, so they can make informed health benefit decisions.

MMAP offers free educational assistance to Medicare beneficiaries through individual counseling to help them understand health care coverage choices.  A highly skilled team of trained volunteer counselors provides this service to our community.  Because they are not connected with any insurance company, MMAP Counselors are able to serve objectively and confidentially.

MMAP can help you understand:

• Medicare eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims, and appeals
• Medicare Health Coverage Options
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
• Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
• Medicaid
• How to report Medicare/Medicare waste, fraud, and abuse
• Long Term Care Insurance options

How to Contact MMAP:

To contact a counselor, please call 1-800-803-7174.  This number will route you to the nearest local MMAP counselor from anywhere in the state of Michigan.

How to Help:

MMAP is always looking for additional volunteers!  If you enjoy problem solving, working with people, and like learning new things, we’d love to speak with you about training to become a MMAP Counselor, Outreach Specialist, or Administrative Assistant.  Fore more information, click here or call the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at 616-456-5664.

Help for People with Limited Incomes and Assets*:

(*Income- money coming in on a regular basis, such as Social Security, SSI, pension checks, Veteran’s benefits, and employment wages.  Assets-items you own, including property, vehicles, and investments, although one car and the home you live in are not counted.)

LIS/Extra Help:

You may be eligible for help paying for your prescription drugs if you have Medicare prescription drug coverage and meet certain income and asset requirements. 

What kind of help?  Depending on your qualifications, you may be eligible for low/no monthly premium, low/no deductible, and lower co-pays on your Medicare prescription plan and covered drugs.  Also, there is no doughnut hole for people who qualify for this program!  

(*The doughnut hole is a term to describe the ‘hole’ in Medicare’s drug coverage that occurs when your total drug costs reach $2830.00. At that point, you would normally be responsible for the total cost of your drugs.  If you are eligible for LIS, your co-pays will remain the same regardless of the total cost of your drugs.)

Eligibility Requirements:

Single: Gross Income: $1,353.75 per month Assets:$12,510.00

Couple: Gross Income: $1,821.25 per month Assets:$25,010.00

 

Medicare Savings Programs:

You may be eligible for assistance paying your Medicare health premiums!  For most people, that means a savings of $96.40 per month (the cost of your Medicare Part B premium).

Eligibility Requirements:

Single: Gross Income: $1,239.00 per month Assets:$8,100.00

Couple: Gross Income: $1,660.00 per month Assets:$12,910.00

Please contact your local MMAP Counselor for more information regarding eligibility or for help applying for these programs at 1-800-803-7174