Enrollment - Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease

Why Participate in the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease

Enrolling in the Medicare Pilot Program

To enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have Medicare under the Affordable Care Act’s "Exposure to Environmental Health Hazards" (EHH) provision
• Reside in one of the counties included in the pilot program
• Have Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
• Have Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

People who developed certain medical conditions as a result of exposure to the airborne pollutants from the vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana are eligible for Medicare under the Affordable Care Act’s "Exposure to Environmental Health Hazards" provision. SSA assists in making the determination whether you have been exposed to this health hazard and have developed an asbestos related disease (ARD).

To enroll in Medicare, contact Social Security Administration at 1-888-482-3128.

If you think you qualify for this pilot program, call Noridian at 1-888-469-9464 to enroll in the pilot or to receive more information.

Drug Coverage

You don’t need to have Medicare Part D to participate in the program, but you won’t get coverage for any drugs in the program unless you join a Medicare drug plan (or have other creditable coverage).

Creditable coverage is prescription drug coverage (for example, from an employer or union) that is expected to pay, on average, at least as much as Medicare’s standard prescription drug coverage. If you have this kind of coverage when you became eligible for Medicare, you can generally keep that coverage without paying a penalty if you decide to enroll in Medicare prescription drug coverage later.

Enrollment Scenarios

I have Medicare Part A & Part B due to my age or disability.

You can only participate in this program if you have Medicare under the EHH provision. If you live in one of the counties included in the pilot program and have an asbestos related disease (ARD), call Social Security at 1-888-482-3128 to see if you can enroll in Medicare under the EHH provision.

I have Part A under the EHH provision, but not Part B.

You can enroll in Part B now by calling Social Security at 1-888-482-3128. Medicare is allowing a special enrollment period now for people who want to participate in this program. (Normally, you can only enroll in Part B at certain times of the year).

I don’t have Medicare, but I have an asbestos related disease from exposure in Libby, MT.

To be eligible for Medicare coverage under the EHH provision, you must have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease and have been present in Lincoln County, MT for a total of at least six months during a period ending 10 years or more before you were diagnosed.

You don’t need to be 65 or receive disability benefits to qualify, there is no waiting period and you do not need to have paid into Social Security or Medicare.

If you think you may qualify, call Social Security at 1-888-482-3128.