Enrollment - Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease
Beneficiary Enrollment
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 or have any questions regarding the Pilot Program, call Noridian at 1-888-469-9464.
To be eligible for Medicare coverage under the EHH provision, you must have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease and previously resided in a Pilot Program covered county for a total of at least six months during a period ending 10 years or more before you were diagnosed.
You do not need to be 65 years old or receive disability benefits to qualify, there is no waiting period, and you do not need to have paid into Social Security or Medicare.
Medicare Pilot Program Effective Date: The effective date that benefits start for the Medicare Pilot Program is the first of the month after the date you contact Noridian to ask to be enrolled in the Pilot Program.
This effective date may differ from the EHH designation date established by Social Security.
EHH Effective Date: The EHH is established by Social Security and is effective the first of the month after you contact Social Security.
Medicare Costs:
- Medicare Part A - most people do not pay a monthly premium.
- Medicare Part B - most people pay a monthly premium.
- Medicare Advantage Plans - Vary by plan.
- Medicare Pilot Program - no cost.
How to Enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease
Step One: Sign/complete forms
You may call and sign forms at the Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) at 406-293-9274.
You may call Kalispell Social Security office at 888-482-3128 to have forms mailed to you or you may sign the forms at the Kalispell Social Security office.
Forms you will complete include the Environmental Health Hazard Checklist (EHH) and a consent form to release information to Social Security to verify you have an asbestos-related disease.
Step Two: Call Social Security
If you have completed the EHH and consent forms at CARD, call Social Security at 888-482-3128 to let them know you have an asbestos-related disease and that you have signed the forms at CARD. If you sign the forms through Social Security, you do not need to complete this step.
Step Three: Wait for a letter from Social Security, then call Noridian
Social Security will send you a letter that says you have been exposed to an environmental health hazard. Call Noridian at 888-469-9464 and let then know you have received your letter from Social Security, and you want to enroll in the Pilot Program.
Noridian will send you an acceptance letter that says you are enrolled in the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease. Save this letter as proof you are in the Pilot Program. You will not receive an insurance type card. Your effective date of the Pilot Program is stated in this letter.
Which Situation Fits You?
Choose from the four different situations below that best fits you and follow the steps.
Enrolled in Medicare Based on Environmental Health Hazard Exposure, and Have Medicare Part A and Part B
Call Noridian at 888-469-9464 to enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease.
Enrolled in Medicare Based on Environmental Health Hazard Exposure, and Have Medicare Part A But Do Not Have Medicare Part B
Call Social Security at 888-482-3128 to enroll in Medicare Part B.
Special enrollment period will allow you to enroll in Part B without waiting for the annual enrollment period.
After enrolling in Medicare Part B, contact Noridian at 888-469-9464 to enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program.
Enrolled in Medicare Based on Age, Disability, or End Stage Renal Disease and Have an Asbestos Related Disease
Complete forms in one of the following three ways:
- Sign the forms at CARD, or
- Call Social Security at 888-482-3128 to get the forms mailed to you, or
- Sign the forms at the Kalispell Social Security office.
If you sign the forms at CARD, be sure to call Social Security and let them know you have an asbestos related disease and signed the forms at CARD.
After you receive a letter from Social Security that says you have been affected by an environmental health hazard, call Noridian at 888-469-9464 to enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program.
Note: If you do not have Medicare Part B, call Social Security at 888-482-3128 to enroll in Medicare Part B. Then call Noridian at 888-469-9464 to enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program.
Not Enrolled in Medicare But Have an Asbestos Related Disease Due to an Environmental Health Hazard (EHH) Exposure
Call Social Security at 888-482-3128 to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B because you have been affected by an environmental health hazard.
After you receive a letter from Social Security that says you have been affected by an environmental health hazard, call Noridian at 888-469-9464 to enroll in the Medicare Pilot Program.
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.