Medicare Savings Programs
4.2.1.1 Applications
The federal government administers the Medicare program and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the Medicare Savings Programs (MSP). This section outlines the requirements for Medicare and MSP applications.
Medicare Application
People must sign up for Medicare with the federal government. See MSP Medicare Overview for more information.
Medicare Part D Extra Help
Some Part D beneficiaries who have limited income and assets are eligible for premium and cost sharing subsidies. These subsidies are referred to as Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). The two types of Extra Help are full and partial subsidies. People enrolled in a MSP or Medical Assistance (MA) automatically qualify for Extra Help with Medicare Part D. DHS informs Medicare who these people are and Medicare sends the person information about which Medicare Part D plans have Extra Help or LIS.
Medicare Savings Program Application
If Medicare thinks someone might be eligible for an MSP, then the Social Security Administration (SSA) sends them a letter called “How to Get Help With Your Medicare Costs” SSA Publication Form L447. A person does not need this letter to apply for an MSP. A person must submit an application form to their county, tribal or state servicing agency for an MSP eligibility determination.
Application Forms
A person’s situation determines which application form to use to apply for an MSP.
New applicants living in the community who are applying for an MSP and Medical Assistance for People Who Are Age 65 or Older and People Who Are Blind or Have a Disability (MA-ABD) should use the MHCP Application for Certain Populations (DHS-3876) for the quickest eligibility determination.
New applicants living in a nursing facility or intermediate care facility and who are applying for MSP and MA long-term care facility services using a MA-ABD basis of eligibility should use the MHCP Application for Payment of Long-Term Care Services (DHS-3531) for the quickest eligibility determination.
New applicants living in the community who are seeking a home and community based services waiver to help stay in their home and who are applying for MSP and MA for long-term care services using a MA-ABD basis of eligibility should use the MHCP Application for Payment of Long-Term Care Services (DHS-3531) for the quickest eligibility determination.
The servicing agency must consider potential MSP eligibility and request further information to make an MSP eligibility determination when the person is applying for MA, has a change in circumstance, has a renewal, or when the enrollee becomes newly eligible for Medicare. The servicing agency cannot require an MA applicant or enrollee to submit a separate application when applying for an MSP.
An MSP enrollee is not required to submit a new application when applying for MA.
Application Requirements
The following MHCP application policies also apply to MSPs: