So, I have had Medicaid for a while. Was pushed into getting Anthem Dual Advantage. During that enrollment, I was told that my part b Medicare and prescription plans were going to be paid for by Medicaid. I received letters from Medicare stating that a sum of 174.90 was being taken out of my SS check.

Q) Then I got another saying that a sum of 23.40 would be taken from this months check as well. I contacted Anthem and was told to contact Medicare about this. I did and they said that the money would be deducted until Medicaid paid those amounts to Social Security. I am having a hard enough time surviving on the amount I was getting. Now they’re taking out an additional 200.00 each month. Can someone please look into this matter and advise me? Kind of worried about bills.

A) The situation you’re facing with conflicting information and deductions from your Social Security check for Medicare is understandable to be concerning. Here are some steps you can take to seek clarification and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Contact Medicaid Directly: Explain the situation to your Medicaid caseworker. They can verify if they are responsible for paying your Medicare Part B and prescription drug plan premiums and clarify any communication gaps between Medicaid and Medicare.
2. Request Detailed Explanation from Social Security: Contact the Social Security Administration and ask for a detailed breakdown of the deductions being made from your check. This will help you understand why both amounts are being deducted and whether it’s an error.
3. Seek Help from Anthem: Since you enrolled in Anthem Dual Advantage, their customer service representatives might be able to mediate between you and Medicare or provide further guidance based on your specific plan.
4. Consider Enrolling in a Low-Income Subsidy (LIS): If you qualify based on your income, you might be eligible for the Medicare Part B – Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program. This program helps pay for your Part B premiums. You can find more information and apply for LIS on the Social Security Administration website: https://www.ssa.gov/i1020/.

Additionally:

• Keep Records: Maintain copies of all communication with involved parties (Medicaid, Medicare, Anthem, Social Security) for future reference.
• Seek Guidance: Consider contacting a benefits counselor or senior advocate who can assist you in navigating this complex situation and ensure you’re receiving the correct benefits.

Remember, you have the right to understand why deductions are being made from your Social Security check. By following these steps and seeking assistance from the relevant organizations, you can hopefully resolve the issue and receive the appropriate benefits.