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Get Extra Help

Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Supplement, Social Services, Extra Help

Did you know the Federal, State, Local Governments offer financial / medical and sometime food assistance to those in need?

LOCAL HELP FROM THE STATE

There are four Medicare Savings Programs:

a. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB);
b. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB);
c. Qualifying Individual (QI or QI-1); and
d. Qualified Disabled & Working Individuals (QDWI).

          i. General Program Requirements 

Below are general requirements for the MSP:

  • Reside in a state or the District of Columbia, Are age 65 or older,

  • Receive Social Security Disability benefits, or

  • People with certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure (even if under age 65)

  • Meet standard income and resource requirements

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For a full list of requirements visit Medicare.gov’s Medicare Savings Program page.

Only the state can determine if an individual qualifies for coverage under one of the programs. Many states apply different standards and methods to determine MSP eligibility. Some states, for example, have no resources for these programs or figure the income and resources differently.

If you would like to find out if you may be eligible for any of the benefits SSA administers, take the U.S. Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool questionnaire. Once you have completed the eligibility screening questionnaire, you will be provided with a list of benefits for which you may be eligible. Print this page for your records before going to the application site.

 

FEDERAL HELP

Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.

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FEDERAL:

​What is Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs? Anyone who has Medicare can get Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited resources and income may also be able to get Extra Help to pay for the costs — monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments — related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,900 per year. Many people qualify for these important savings and don’t even know it.

To qualify for Extra Help:

  • You must reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia;

  • Your resources must be limited to $14,390 for an individual or $28,720 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your home, car, or any life insurance policy as resources; and

  • Your annual income must be limited to $18,735 for an individual or $25,365 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help. Some examples where you may have higher income and still qualify for Extra Help include if you or your spouse: —Support other family members who live with you; 2 —Have earnings from work; or —Live in Alaska or Hawaii.

 Can state agencies help with my Medicare costs? When you file your application for Extra Help, you also can start your application process for the Medicare Savings Programs. These state programs provide help with other Medicare costs. Social Security will send information to your state unless you tell us not to on the Extra Help application. Your state will contact you to help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program.

​These Medicare Savings Programs help people with limited resources and income pay for their Medicare expenses. The Medicare Savings Programs help pay for your Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums. For some people, the Medicare Savings Programs may also pay for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) premiums, if any, and Part A and B deductibles and co-payments. Medicaid or medical assistance is a joint Federal and state program that helps pay medical costs for some people who have limited resources and income. Each state has different rules about eligibility and applying for Medicaid. Contact your state Medicaid office for more information.