Can I get help paying my Medicare premiums or other costs?
The short answer
Yes. Several programs exist to help people with limited income cover Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays, including Extra Help for drug costs and Medicare Savings Programs for Part B premiums.
The full explanation
There are a few different programs worth knowing about. Medicare Savings Programs are run by each state and can help pay your Part B premium, which is the monthly cost for doctor and outpatient coverage. Depending on your income and assets, some programs also cover deductibles and copays. Extra Help, sometimes called the Low Income Subsidy, is a federal program specifically for Part D drug costs. It can significantly reduce your monthly drug plan premium and your out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy. To qualify for either program, your income and assets need to fall within certain limits, and those limits change from year to year. You do not have to be on Medicaid to qualify for these programs, though many people who qualify for one qualify for the other. Applying is free, and many people who are eligible never apply simply because they do not know these programs exist. If cost is a concern, it is genuinely worth checking your eligibility before assuming you do not qualify.
Related Medicare Resources
In
specifically
In Utah, the Medicare Savings Program is administered through the state and can help qualifying residents with their Part B premium and sometimes other costs. The Utah Aging and Disability Resource Centers, which serve as the state's SHIP program, offer free one-on-one help applying for these programs. You can reach them through Utah's ADRC network.
What this means for you
For you, this means real monthly savings may be available if your income is modest, and a free counselor can help you find out what you qualify for without any sales pressure.
Related Questions
What are Medicare Savings Programs and what costs can they cover?
What is Extra Help for Medicare Part D and who qualifies?
What Utah program can help pay my Part B premium?
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program in Utah?
If I am on a fixed income in Utah, what Medicare help programs should I check first?
