Medicare officials want to enroll more beneficiaries in the program's low-income subsidy for prescription drug plans.

Educating beneficiaries and providers about the subsidy is a "major initiative" for the government program over the next several months, according to Dennis DelPizzo, health insurance specialist for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Medicare officials estimate about 424 potential people in Natrona County and about 3,100 across Wyoming might eligible for the subsidy who aren't enrolled.

The estimates are based on Social Security, census and Medicare data.

"A lot of seniors are shut-ins, and they don't get out," DelPizzo said. "It's a benefit that could save them up to 95 percent on their drug costs."

This would free senior citizens more money to pay for rent, utilities and food, he said. When a person can't afford expenses, prescription drugs are usually the first to go, creating unnecessary health problems.

Some people in Casper believe there is still work to be done educating people on Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy, while others feel they have done a good job with enrollment.

Tom Reinhart, coordinator of Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc., said the number of potential eligible people is overestimated. In his experience, he said, many seniors might be eligible but don't want the help.

Social Security data doesn't include other sources of income, Reinhart said, such as money from Veterans Affairs. He said he wants seniors to know that if they need help, there is help available through his office.

Senior Patient Advocates, Inc. enrolls people in the low-income subsidy all the time, according to patient advocate Vonnie Stinnette.

"Nobody even has an idea it exists, except for those who are on it," Stinnette said. Senior Patient Advocate helps seniors navigate through their Medicare benefits for a fee.

When people hit the gap in prescription drug coverage - almost every Part D plan has a few months every year where coverage runs out - they call Senior Patient Advocates for assistance, Stinnette said.

With the subsidy, patients never hit a gap and most of their premiums are covered. Copayments for the drugs are about $3 to $5, Stinnette said.

"It's a total miracle for them," Stinnette said.

She said it's difficult to explain to seniors the subsidy is not welfare.

DelPizzo spent this past week meeting with agencies, such as Wyoming Legal Services and Interfaith, to educate them about the program so they can educate their clients.

The application takes only about 30 to 40 minutes to complete, DelPizzo said. Income and highly liquid assets, such as savings accounts and stocks, are the only two criteria.

Even if people don't qualify for the subsidy, Stinnette said people can apply for other patient assistance for drug costs.

For example, many pharmaceutical companies offer low-income help and their eligible income rates are much higher.

"Many people think that if they don't qualify for LIS, they just don't qualify for anything," Stinnette said. "But there are a lot of avenues."

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.

Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy

Eligibility requirements:

Income: For a single person less than $15,600 a year or $1,300 a month; for a married couple less than $21,000 or $1,750 a month.

Savings and resources: For a single person less than $11,900; for a married couple less than $23,970. The subsidy doesn't look at houses, property, cars or personal belongings.

Medicare: Must be a Medicare beneficiary.

For more information or to check if you are eligible, try the resources below:

- Medicare offices at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or www.medicare.gov.

- Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc. (Wyoming State Health Insurance Program) at 1-800-856-4398 or (307) 235-5959.

- Social Security Administration Web site at www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp.

- For a $35 fee, Senior Patient Advocates, Inc., a local organization, will help Medicare beneficiaries fill out the form. Call them at (307) 472-1770.