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| The campaign called "Relay for Extra Help" encourages Medicare
recipients to help each other by relaying the message to their local communities that financial
assistance is available - even for those who might not typically receive federal assistance. The
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has identified that North Carolina has more than
80,000 Medicare recipients who potentially qualify for the cost-saving programs, but have not
enrolled. |
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| The N.C. Senior Tar Heel Legislators attended a relay event in
Raleigh where they agreed to relay the message back to all 100 counties. The Relay for Extra Help
campaign's goal is to find and enroll eligible Medicare recipients in either the federal Low-Income
Subsidy program that helps pay for Medicare prescription drug coverage and medicines or the Medicare
Savings Program that helps pay for Medicare Part A and B premiums. |
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| "It's great to have so many seniors here today who are committed to
taking the Extra Help message back to their communities," said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.
"North Carolina has more than 80,000 people on Medicare who could be receiving Medicare's Low-Income
Subsidy benefits, but have not yet signed up. Our goal is to relay this message to every town in the
state, find these folks and get them enrolled so that they can start receiving help paying for their
Medicare prescription drug premiums and medicines." |
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| "By serving as ambassadors for this important initiative, members of
the Senior Tar Heel Legislature are making a positive difference in the lives of their fellow seniors,"
said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Lanier Cansler. "We must reach and assist the
most vulnerable seniors, and this is an encouraging example of achieving that goal." |
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| The N.C. Department of Insurance's SHIIP Division (Seniors' Health Insurance
Information Program), N.C. Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Aging and Adult Services,
Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and the Area Agencies on Aging have all partnered for the Relay for
Extra Help campaign. Local Departments of Social Services and the State Division of Medical Assistance
are also working with the Extra Help campaign. |
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| SHIIP can help with the application process. To apply for the Extra Help or
Medicare Savings Programs or for more information, contact SHIIP at 800-443-9354 or visit
the Relay for Extra Help
Web site page. |
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| -- NCDOI -- |
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