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Medicare Advocates
Coverage

Medicare Cost Assistance

If your income is below certain thresholds, you may qualify for Medicare cost assistance, programs that reduce or eliminate your Medicare costs.

What Medicare Cost Assistance covers

There are two main categories of Medicare income assistance. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by states and help pay Part A and Part B costs, including the Part B premium, deductibles, and coinsurance. The Extra Help program (also called the Low Income Subsidy, or LIS) is run by Social Security and helps pay Part D drug costs including premiums, deductibles, and copayments.

  • Part B premium: Paid in full or in part depending on which Medicare Savings Program you qualify for.
  • Part A and Part B deductibles: Covered by the higher-tier savings programs.
  • Part A and Part B coinsurance: Covered by Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) status, so providers cannot bill you.
  • Part D premium: Extra Help can reduce or eliminate your monthly drug plan premium.
  • Part D cost-sharing: Copayments as low as a few dollars per prescription with full Extra Help.

Who it is for

Income limits change yearly and vary by state for the Medicare Savings Programs. Many people who qualify are not enrolled because they do not know these programs exist or assume they will not qualify. Your licensed insurance agent will check eligibility at no cost to you, and if you qualify, we will help you apply.

Questions about your Medicare options?

Talk to a licensed insurance agent, at no cost.

1-800-940-0633

New to income assistance programs? Read how they work.

Read the basics

Common questions

Ready when you are.

No cost. No pressure. There is no obligation to enroll.One licensed insurance agent, for as long as you’re on Medicare.