People who no longer automatically qualify for extra help should apply to Social Security or their State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office as soon as possible to see if they still qualify for extra help based on their income and resources.
If a person's financial situation changes so that they again automatically qualify, Medicare will send them another notice letting them know that they qualify.
People who no longer qualify for extra help should look at other options that may help pay their drug costs, including available State and local programs.
They may also want to compare available Medicare drug plans to their current Medicare drug plan to see if they can save money.
When comparing plans, people should check to make sure the plan covers the prescriptions they take and includes the pharmacies they use.
People can call their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free personalized counseling about their choices (see the Medicare & You handbook for their telephone number, or contact 1-800 MEDICARE).
(Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)