Extra Help
Getting Extra Help
If you meet certain income and resource limits, you may qualify for Extra Help. This program helps pay for your Medicare drug coverage, such as plan premiums, deductibles, and costs when you fill your prescriptions, called copays or coinsurance.
How much would I pay if I qualify for Extra Help?
Plan premiums & deductibles: Depending on your income level, you may pay less or pay nothing for your plan premium and yearly deductible (an amount you have to pay before your plan starts to pay.)
Copays & coinsurance: In 2022, drug costs are no more than:
- $3.95 for each generic drug
- $9.85 for each brand-name covered drug
Do I qualify for Extra Help?
In 2022, you may qualify if you have up to $20,385 in yearly income ($27,465 for a married couple) and up to $15,510 in resources ($30,950 for a married couple).
Resources that count to see if you qualify:
- Money in a checking or savings account
- Stocks
- Bonds
Resources that don’t count to see if you qualify:
- 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
How do I get Extra Help?
Some people automatically qualify for Extra Help. You’ll get the Extra Help program if you have Medicare and get any of the following:
- Full Medicaid coverage
- Help from your state Medicaid program paying your Part B premiums (from a Medicare Savings Program)
- Supplemental Security Income (Ssi)benefits
If you don’t automatically qualify, you can apply for Extra Help at any time.