Letter to Michigan Seniors Announcing Medicare Cut Was a Mistake

About 12,000 low-income seniors in Michigan have received a letter erroneously informing them that the state would no longer pay for their Medicare Part B coverage. State officials are working with the Social Security Administration to help seniors enrolled in the Medicare Savings Program, correct the error, said Bob Wheaton, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. “People don’t need to worry about their Medicare Part B,” Wheaton said. “Our system error caused this letter to be sent by the Social Security Administration.” The letter led some seniors to believe that their next Social Security check would be reduced by the amount of the subsidy. The assistance can subsidize a Part B premium by up to $1,100 per year, or $91 per month, for seniors with a monthly income below 135 percent of the poverty line.

Source/more: Detroit Free Press

David Wingate is an elder law attorney at the Elder Law Office of David Wingate, LLC. The elder law office services clients with powers of attorneys, living wills, Wills, Trusts, Medicaid and asset protection. The Elder Law office has locations in Frederick and Montgomery Counties, Maryland.