Medicare Extra Help
Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and Dual-Eligible Plans
If your income and savings are limited, programs like Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid may lower your Medicare costs. A plain-English look at what they do and how to apply.
Help is available if Medicare costs are a stretch
Medicare costs can add up, and for people on a fixed or limited income they can be a real worry. There are programs designed to help, and many people who qualify never apply.
Here is a plain-English look at what exists and where to ask. Whether you qualify is decided by Social Security or your state's Medicaid agency, not by us.
The main programs
- Extra Help (also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy): a federal program that helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles and copays
- Medicare Savings Programs: run through your state's Medicaid agency, these can help pay your Part B premium and, depending on the program, some Medicare cost sharing
- Medicaid: a joint federal and state program that can cover costs Medicare doesn't, such as some long-term care, for people who qualify
- Dual-eligible means you have both Medicare and Medicaid in some form
What dual-eligible means
Some dual-eligible people get full Medicaid benefits, and others get help only with Medicare costs such as premiums. Which one applies depends on your income, your resources and your state's rules.
- People with both Medicare and full Medicaid, or who get certain Medicare Savings Program help or Supplemental Security Income, generally get Extra Help automatically
- Dual-eligible special needs plans (D-SNPs) are Medicare Advantage plans designed for people with both Medicare and Medicaid, and they coordinate the two
- People with Medicaid or Extra Help may have more chances to change drug or Medicare Advantage plans than other people, and the rules have changed recently, so confirm what applies to you before you act
How to apply
- Extra Help: apply through Social Security, at ssa.gov or at 1-800-772-1213
- Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid: apply through your state's Medicaid agency
- Free, unbiased help applying is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
The honest limits
- Income and resource limits change every year, and Medicaid's are set by each state, so we don't list numbers here
- Applying doesn't mean you'll be approved, and you may need paperwork to prove your income and savings
- Some programs don't apply to every kind of plan, so a benefit may depend on which plan you choose
- Some plans marketed to people with Medicaid have limited networks, and we'll tell you if that applies
How we can help
- Explain which programs might apply and where to apply
- Check what the plans we can show you offer people with Medicaid or Extra Help
- Point you to free counseling if you'd like help with the application itself
Before you rely on this page
This page is educational. It is not a recommendation of any plan, and it does not promise eligibility, enrollment, pricing or availability.
GetFastRates.com is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Calling connects you with licensed insurance help. Plan availability, costs, benefits, and enrollment rules can vary by state, carrier, and individual situation.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. We represent a limited number of organizations, which offer a limited number of products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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Medicare by state
Common questions
What is Extra Help?
Extra Help is a federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. You apply through Social Security.
What does dual-eligible mean?
It means you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Some people get full Medicaid benefits, and others get help only with Medicare costs.
What is a Medicare Savings Program?
A state program, run through the state's Medicaid agency, that can help pay your Part B premium and, in some cases, other Medicare costs. Eligibility depends on your income and resources and the state's rules.
What is a D-SNP?
A dual-eligible special needs plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan for people who have both Medicare and Medicaid. It is built to coordinate the two, and the benefits and networks depend on the plan.
Can you tell me if I qualify?
Social Security and your state Medicaid agency decide that. We can explain the programs, help you know what to ask, and point you to free help with the application.
Does it cost anything to talk to an agent?
Talking through your options with us is free and comes with no obligation. Any plan you choose has its own premium, set by the plan and its insurance company.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Call to talk with a licensed agent who will be honest about what fits and what doesn't.
- Licensed insurance help
- No guaranteed eligibility, pricing, or availability
- Educational starting point
GetFastRates.com is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Calling connects you with licensed insurance help. Plan availability, costs, benefits, and enrollment rules can vary by state, carrier, and individual situation.