Can I get help paying my Medicare premiums or other costs?

Costs
Last updated: 
April 10, 2026
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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.

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In 

Ohio

 specifically

In Ohio, the Medicare Savings Program is administered through the state and can help qualifying residents with their Part B premium and sometimes other costs. The Ohio Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which serve as the state's SHIP program, offer free one-on-one help applying for these programs. You can reach them through Ohio's Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program network.

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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

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