People With Medicare

Extra Help Paying the Costs of Drug Coverage

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for Extra Help with the costs of your prescription drugs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare are working together to give you this extra help.

Most people who qualify for the extra help will pay

  • No premiums,
  • No deductibles, and
  • No more than $6.50 (in 2012) for each drug their plan covers.

The amount of extra help you get depends on your income and resources.  If you qualify for this extra help, you can join a Medicare drug plan at anytime. You will not have to pay a penalty, even if you are enrolling late.

IMPORTANT: People who receive the extra help can change plans at anytime – as often as once per month.

  • Extra Help - Do I Qualify? - shows the income levels and resources for individuals and couples to qualify for various levels of extra help.  
  • What you need to apply - tells you what information you will need to fill out an application. It's short and simple.
  • Answer these questions to find out if you are eligible for extra help and to apply online.
  • Other Sources of Help - tells you about other programs that can help you with your prescription drug costs, even if you don't qualify for the extra help available through Medicare.

What if I get Medicaid, SSI or am in a Medicare Savings Program?
If you are in one of these programs, you will automatically get extra help. You do not need to apply for it. You should have gotten a letter telling you about the extra help you will receive. To learn more, go to the page on Supplemental Security Income (SSI)/Medicare Savings Program (MSP) and Medicaid.

NEXT: Extra Help — Do I qualify?


Information on this web site was compiled from approved materials of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.