2023 Medicare Savings Program Eligibility Requirement Changes

Healthfirst Medicare Advantage Members may be able to save money thanks to new expanded eligibility requirements for the Medicare Savings Program. With a new, increased income limits, you may now qualify for extra assistance through the Medicare Savings Program and/or Medicaid. We can help you apply to make sure you get all the savings you’re entitled to.

What changed?

Beginning January 1, 2023, New York State expanded the Medicare Savings Program by raising the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) eligibility requirement.

What is the Medicare Savings Program?

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) helps pay for your Medicare premiums and lower your drug plan costs. Depending on your income, the MSP may also pay for other cost-sharing expenses.

What does this mean?

Healthfirst Medicare members who made too much to qualify for financial help in the past, may now be eligible.

Do you qualify?

Eligibility is based on your household income, with no limit to assets. For example, if you own your home, but make less than the amounts below, you can still qualify. Are you:

icon-individual

Single and making less than $2,200 a month?

icon-couple

Married and making less than $3,000 a month?

icon-individual

Single and making less than $2,200 a month?

icon-couple

Married and making less than $3,000 a month?

If you answered “yes” to one of these questions, you may now be able to save even more!

It’s great news as it means you could switch from your current Healthfirst plan to a new Healthfirst Medicare Advantage plan with even lower costs. Plus, you can:

  • Keep all your current doctors
  • Call the same Healthfirst Member Services number for support
icon-phone

How to apply:

Call My Advocate for help applying right over the phone.

1-866-480-0168

Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm

TTY English: 1-855-368-9643

Once you apply, it could take New York State 60 days to respond. Until then, you’ll continue to enjoy your current Healthfirst Medicare plan coverage.

What to do if you are approved

We can make it easy for you to switch plans by enrolling you right over the phone. Just call us once you hear, or, we can reach out to you once we get the approval from the state.

What are the plans you could switch to?

Life Improvement Plan

If you qualify for Medicaid, you can switch to the Healthfirst Life Improvement Plan.

  • Medicaid provided directly by New York State.
  • Medicaid provides coverage for the cost of your Medicare copays and may cover items that Medicare does not, such as vitamins or certain types of medical equipment.

Increased Benefits Plan

If you qualify for the Medicare Savings Program, you can switch to the Healthfirst Increased Benefits Plan.

  • This Medicare Savings Program (MSP) helps pay for your Medicare premiums and lower your drug plan costs.
  • Depending on your income, the MSP may also pay for other cost-sharing expenses.

See if you qualify. Call My Advocate today at:

1-866-480-0168

Monday to Saturday, 8am-8pm

TTY English: 1-855-368-9643

Coverage is provided by Healthfirst Health Plan, Inc. or Healthfirst Insurance Company, Inc. (“Healthfirst”). Healthfirst Medicare Plan has HMO and PPO plans with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with the NY State Medicaid program. Enrollment in Healthfirst Medicare Plan depends on contract renew

OTC items are subject to the plan’s list of eligible items and the plan’s participating network of retail, online, and utility providers. Balances expire upon disenrollment.

No out-of-pocket costs for entry-level hearing aids. Eyewear allowance can only be used at participating retailers.

Healthfirst complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-867-4132). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-866-305-0408 (TTY 1-888-542-3821)。

© 2023 HF Management Services, LLC 1300-22

Y0147_MKT23_90 0816-22_2023

Close Popup

We look forward to helping you!

Please fill out the form below and one of our representatives will get back to you shortly.

* = required field

†Signature Authorization Notice:

By submitting this form, I authorize Healthfirst to contact me about Healthfirst products using the information provided above by automated means, including email, phone, or text. Message & data rates may apply. Submitting this form does not obligate me to enroll in a plan, affect my current enrollment, or enroll in a Healthfirst plan.

Free Healthfirst Medicare guide―just for you!

Please share your contact information to receive your guide.

Example: robin@gmail.com

Submitting this form does not obligate me to enroll in a plan, affect my current enrollment, or enroll me in a Healthfirst plan.

You are now navigating away from the Healthfirst website.

Links to non-Healthfirst websites are provided for your convenience only. Healthfirst is not responsible or liable for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of linked sites, or for products or services described on these sites.

Cancel
Continue