Notice for Extra Help 2008

September 12, 2007

Attention: Social Workers

Important Information from Kidney Health Care on Medicare Part D Extra Help

SSA Information on Redeterminations

SSA is in the process of mailing the “SSA Review of Your Eligibility for Extra Help” redeterminations to some beneficiaries who are currently receiving extra help. About 500,000 beneficiaries were selected for an Extra Help redetermination. The redetermination mailings will start on Monday, Septermber 10, 2007; all of the 500,000 should be received before October. Beneficiaries must complete this form within 30 days and submit it to the Wilkes-Barre Data Operations Center in the enclosed pre-paid envelope for processing. If a beneficiary needs help with the form, they should contact SSA at 1-800-SSA-1213 (1-800-772-1213) or their local SSA field office. If a beneficiary does not complete and return the form, eligibility for Extra Help may be terminated effective 1-1-08. A facsimile of the cover letter and form is located at http://www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/SSA-1026B-OCR-SM-INST.pdf on the web.

If a beneficiary discards their redetermination form SSA-1026 in error, what is the process for requesting a replacement? The beneficiary can either:

• Pick up the phone and call 1-800-SSA-1213 — SSA will try to either take the redetermination on the phone using screens or set up a time to do it later. If neither of those works, or the person wants paper, SSA will mail a redetermination form (with envelope); or
• Contact the local field office to take the redetermination or to get a paper copy. Copies of the form SSA-1026B (“B: for bulk) will be in each SSA office. An envelope will be included.