Two Types of Assistance
If you have low income and/or few assets, there is financial assistance available to help you with your Part A, Part B and Part D premiums. Also, depending upon how you qualify, you may receive assistance with cost sharing such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays as well.
There are two types of assistance:
- Extra Help
- Medicare Savings Program
Extra Help aka Low Income Subisidy (L.I.S.)
If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for Extra Help to pay for your Medicare prescription drug costs. The amount of Extra Help you receive is based on your income and assets. To view the requirements, view the Extra Help publication.
If you qualify for Medicaid, one of the Medicare Savings Programs, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically qualify for Extra Help paying the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. To find out if you qualify, you should contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. Click here to find your state contact information
If you qualify for Medicaid, one of the Medicare Savings Programs, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you automatically qualify for Extra Help paying the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. To find out if you qualify, you should contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. Click here to find your state contact information
Medicare Savings Program
There are 4 types of Medicare Savings Programs where you may receive assistance with your Medicare costs. Each program has specific guidelines and, depending upon your income and assets, you may be able to get help to pay all or a portion of your Medicare costs.
Applying for the Medicare Savings Program is done through your state. When you apply, your state determines which program(s) you qualify for. Even if you think you might not qualify, you should still apply as the income and asset levels can vary by state from the federal limits listed below. To contact your state, click on this link to find your state contact information.
Keep in mind that you may still qualify for these programs in your state even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed below. Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or assets when deciding who qualifies.
The 4 types of Medicare Savings Programs are:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program: If you’re eligible, the QMB Program helps pay for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums along with any deductible, coinsurance and copays.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,275. For a household size of 2, the limit is $1,724
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program: Helps pay Part B premiums only.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,526 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $2,064
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Helps pay Part B premiums only.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You must apply every year to stay in the QI Program
- States approve applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. Priority is given to people who have QI benefits the previous year
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,715 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $2,320
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program: Helps pay Part A premiums only.
- You are disabled and employed
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying fo your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $4,000 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $6,000
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $5,105 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $6,899
Medicare Savings Program
There are 4 types of Medicare Savings Programs where you may receive assistance with your Medicare costs. Each program has specific guidelines and, depending upon your income and assets, you may be able to get help to pay all or a portion of your Medicare costs.
Applying for the Medicare Savings Program is done through your state. When you apply, your state determines which program(s) you qualify for. Even if you think you might not qualify, you should still apply as the income and asset levels can vary by state from the federal limits listed below. To contact your state, click on this link to find your state contact information. Keep in mind that you may still qualify for these programs in your state even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed below. Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or assets when deciding who qualifies.
The 4 types of Medicare Savings Programs are:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program: If you’re eligible, the QMB Program helps pay for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums along with any deductible, coinsurance and copays.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,275. For a household size of 2, the limit is $1,724
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program:
Helps pay Part B premiums only.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,526 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $2,064
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program: Helps pay Part B premiums only.
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You must apply every year to stay in the QI Program
- States approve applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. Priority is given to people who have QI benefits the previous year
- You will also receive Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $9,430 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $14,130
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $1,715 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $2,320
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program: Helps pay Part A premiums only.
- You are disabled and employed
- You are entitled to Medicare Part A and Part B
- You will also receive Extra Help paying fo your prescription drugs
- You will pay no more than $11.20 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
- You have countable assets at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $4,000 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $6,000
- You have countable montlhy income at or below the following program limit. For a household size of 1, the limit is $5,105 and for a household size of 2, the limit is $6,899