Have you checked if you qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help Program?
If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program. You might be able to get help paying your Medicare drug plan’s monthly premiums, yearly deductibles, and prescription co-payments. Drug costs in 2024 for most people who qualify will be no more than $4.50 for each generic drug and $11.20 for each brand-name drug.
Even if you’re not sure you’d qualify, it’s worth filling out an application. Many people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help but don’t know it. You or a family member could be one of them.
It’s easy and free to apply for Extra Help, and you can reapply at any time if your income changes. Here’s how:
- Apply online.
- Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1‑800‑325‑0778.
- Apply at your local Social Security office.
Don’t wait—apply today to see if you qualify for some Extra Help with your Medicare prescription drug costs.
Some people automatically qualify for Extra Help
Per Medicare.gov, you automatically qualify for Extra Help if you have Medicare and meet any of these conditions:
- Have full Medicaid coverage
- Get help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums (in a Medicare Savings Programs)
- Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
However, keep in mind that even if you automatically qualify this year, you may not qualify for Extra Help next year.
You’ll get a notice (on grey paper) by the end of September if you no longer automatically qualify. Even if you get this notice, you may still qualify, but you need to apply to find out.
- If your copayment amounts change for 2024, you’ll get a notice (on orange paper) in the mail in early October with the new amounts.
- If you don’t get a notice from Medicare, you’ll get the same level of Extra Help that you got for last year.
It’s worth checking to see if you qualify so head over to medicare.gov and Apply online.
Share this posts if you know others that could use Extra Help on healthcare costs so they can see if they qualify too!
Still have questions about Medicare and coverage? For more information, or to speak to a friendly, licensed agent contact us HERE.
