Get Help With Your Healthcare Costs
You may qualify for help with your premiums, deductibles, copayments, or prescription costs with Extra Help or with a Medicare Savings Program.
Medicare has 4 savings programs that can help with your healthcare costs:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program (also known as the Medicare Buy-in)
Individual monthly income limit* – $1,001
Married couple monthly income limit* – $1,348
Program helps pay for: Part A premiums, Part B premiums, Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
Individual monthly income limit* – $1,197
Married couple monthly income limit* – $1,613
Program helps pay for: Part B premiums only
Qualified Individual (QI) Program
Individual monthly income limit* – $1,345
Married couple monthly income limit* – $1,813
Program helps pay for: Part B premiums only
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)
Individual monthly income limit* – $1,962
Married couple monthly income limit* – $2,655
Program helps pay for: Part A premiums only
Save on Drug Costs
If you have limited income and resources, you may also qualify for “Extra Help” to help pay your Medicare prescription drug costs, like premiums, deductibles, and co-payments.
In 2015, drug costs for most people who qualify are no more than $2.65 for each generic/$6.60 for each brand-name covered drug. Other people pay only a portion of their Medicare drug plan premiums and deductibles based on their income level.
In 2015, you may qualify if you have up to $17,505 in yearly income ($23,595 for a married couple) and up to $13,440 in resources ($26,860 for a married couple).
If you don’t qualify for Extra Help, your state may have programs that can help pay your prescription drug costs. Contact your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for more information. Remember, you can reapply for Extra Help at any time if your income and resources change. (To apply online follow the link at the end of this article.)
Countable resources include:
- Money in a checking or savings account
- Stocks
- Bonds
Countable resources don’t include:
- Your home
- One car
- Burial plot
- Up to $1,500 for burial expenses if you have put that money aside
- Furniture
- Other household and personal items
Apply for Extra Help – Contact Social Security.
Find out if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. You can apply online or visit your local State Health Insurance Program. Call Social Security toll-free at: 1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778, Monday-Friday 7am-7pm
Would you like my help?
If you would like to talk to me, ask a question or schedule a meeting at your home or a nearby meeting place, you can reach me at 207-370-0143 or use my simple form on the CONTACT ME page of this site to send an email message. The best part about working with me is that it will not cost you anything to meet with me to discuss your options or to review the plans that are available. I am paid by the insurance companies in the form of a commission if you enroll in a plan. You will not pay any more than anyone else and you are under no obligation whatsoever to enroll in any plans if you meet with me.
“My goal is to help you and I have found great joy in being able to offer my services to people who need my help.”
*Medicare Savings Program Income Limits are for 2015 (2016 amounts are released in March).