General, Medicare

In Times Like These, Every Cent Counts

June 20, 2015 • By

Reading Time: 1 Minute

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

Two men use a laptop computerIn the good old days…

If, as a child, you asked your grandparents for 50 cents to go to the store to buy ice cream, they might have taken you on a journey down memory lane before giving you the money for your treat. Apparently, in the “good old days,” 50 cents bought you a whole meal, a trip to the movies, and an outfit. When was the last time you bought something substantial for 50 cents without a discount coupon?


The world is different now, and everything costs more than it used to.
Every cent counts, and you can help your parents and grandparents who understand the value of the dollar, save about $4,000 each year in their prescription drug coverage. Extra Help with Medicare helps people with limited resources and income pay for costs like monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments that are related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. Many people aren’t aware of these important savings. Do your parents and grandparents know about the Extra Help? Let them know!
You must receive Medicare, meet the resource and income limits, and live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia to qualify for Extra Help.
You can apply for Extra Help online. It’s so easy! Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp, or call Social Security to apply over the phone or to request an application. You can also apply in person at your local Social Security office.
Our parents and grandparents taught us so much, especially the value of savings. Let’s show them we learned the lesson. Help them apply today!

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About the Author

Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications

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Comments

  1. Sam A.

    As a caregiver for my father I see and feel for all the elderly that are having to deal with the current issue of health care. Recently, the Doctor prescribed him a Zytega and because he couldn’t afford it since the copayment was $2800 a month the Doctor wrote a letter “retiring” his service to my father and left him looking for another Dr. without proper notice. Also the Insurance does not have any other oncologist near his home. This are some of the issues that the elderly are encountering not to mention the waiting time at the Dr.’s office that could be from 7am to 5pm without regard to the patient health(could be hours before they eat anything). Very sad, that we are paying for a service that currently is being abused by so many health care providers and insurance companies. WE are going to be old if we are lucky – Hope the Doctors realize that they will be at the mercy of other doctors when their time comes.

  2. Christine C.

    Is it true we can get a tablet from social security for our own personal use?

    • HunterSThompson

      Enough with the tablets already! NO! They had to add a red disclaimer to that page!!

  3. DENNIS H.

    Back in 1940, I was lucky to get a NICKEL for a ONE SCOOP ice cream cone. It was all hand me downs to wear to school.

  4. NANCY S.

    HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO PAY MY SPENDDOWN I DONT GET MANY BILLS MY DOCTERS COYPAY IS 50.00 EVERYTIME PLUS 15 FOR OTHER DOCTER S CANT AFFORD CAB FARE HOW CAN I GET HELP WITH AWAY TO DOCTERS I HAVE PLOMBLEMS WITH WALKING ANYBODY HAVE ANY SURGESSING MISS SPEELED SURGESITONS THANKS GOD BLESS

  5. NANCY S.

    I AM 65 YEARS OLD DISABLED I AM ON SSI AND HAVE HELP FROM MEDICAID NO MEDICAL COVERED WITHOUT BIG SPENDDOWN WHY IS IT SO HIGH I CANT AFFORD NO 560.00 AMONTH FOR MEDICAL INSURANCE I DONT GET DOCTERS BILLS THEY SAY SEND THEM IN WHEN I DO IT COST 5000.00 FOR SIX MONTHS 533.00 AMONTH I AM ON SSI I DONT GET THAT MUCH IM GLAD I HAVE MEDICARE AND EXTRA HELP

  6. Marie R.

    I apply every year and never qualify. I am told it is because I have a bank account. Why is that a problem? Social Security uses the bank account to send me money each month but Medicare denies disabled folks help because we use bank accounts to safely set aside money for the next round of coverage gap and the higher prices we face every year. There is a lack of coordination here.

    • ..

      Marie, thanks so much for your comment. Unfortunately, your question is a bit more complex than we can answer on this blog. For your security, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. You can find additional information about the Medicare program online or call 1-800-633-4227 (TTY, 1-877-486-2048). Since Medicaid is managed by the state in which you reside, please visit the Medicaid web site and select from the drop-down menu to find specific information about the Medicaid program in your state, or you can call the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-877-267-2323 (TTY Toll-Free: 866-226-1819).

  7. RONALD R.

    Will there be enough money for people like me on SSD to be able to get a good raise on our monthly checks with the things as high as they or and going up and up we need a good raise just to keep up

    • Christie F.

      there will not be a “good raise” on the monthly checks and the reason is because of the economy as a whole. When there are lots of jobs and people with good income out there then the check could be raised by a few dollars but the economy has been in the dumper since 2008 and shows no near improvement. Your monthly check is not like a paycheck where it could be raised, or raised if you’ve been good. It’s merely a benefit. If you can work part time even then do so. If not then cut your expenses to the bone, use coupons, discounts, and ask elsewhere for assistance.

      • Amanda W.

        Been there done that. Next

        • Amanda W.

          What there afraid of is back pay for my self and my son. And to admit they were in the wrong. When other people read this and start to come forward are you going to let them been bullied as well? Thought that was illegal? Especially to someone who is disabled. Threaten them with Prison, Take their home and children away? If only 1 person read those reports, This wouldn’t be happening. But I do have the recordings of them laughing at me. How will it look for SS then if that got out. Someone cashed those missing checks at that office, cause it sure as hell wasn’t me. You should check into it. I tried the D.O.J. who said it was the A.D.A’S problem. This went back and fourth. I offered to work with the OIG as well as the F B I. Check for yourself I’m telling the truth. Amanda

    • ..

      Thanks for your question, Ronald. Nearly 64 million Americans had a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) increase of 1.7 percent in their Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits this year. We will not know if there will be a COLA for 2016, until late October when the Department of Labor releases information on inflation for the past year. If there is a COLA for 2016, we will announce it on our website.

  8. james b.

    if I’m on SSDI and Medicare, tell me if these are True or False and what are the breaking points for income, and if there is something in writing that I can get. My memory is not good, and I’ll have to rely on impressions unless I have something in print.

    1. If I get married, if my spouse is already on SS, then I’ll be left on Medicare without any problems.

    -but-

    2. If I get married, and my spouse is not on SS., then I become individually responsible for my medical costs.

    • Barbara (.

      If you are married, I think most income based assistance programs take into consideration the income of both people. So bing married might change the eligibility for extra help. Also, I seem to remember that if you are eligible to have private insurance ( for ex through a spouse’s employers insurance), you need to use that before Medicare. But I’m foggy about that!

    • ..

      Jim, if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits on your own record and you marry, your SSDI and Medicare benefits will not be affected. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits, and your marriage will not affect your benefits. Please visit our Medicare web page to find out how the program works. To find more information on how marriage may affect other Social Security benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Question on this topic.

      • Amanda W.

        That’s a lie. I fought for my son who was born Autistic, out of Wed. Lock. Trying to raise a child with autism and not being familiar with this disability it was impossible for me to hold a job. He had other disabilities as well and that was back in 1993. Their wasn’t much help for people like me back then. His father and I lived together, but they wouldn’t go off his income. And I’m still fighting for him. Well when I applied for SSDI for my self, my health was and is still deteriorating and after 9 years I finally one in Oct. 2008. Not much though. In Dec. 2008, I remarried, I reported it and in September 2010 My benefits were stopped they claim I didn’t report my marriage, and when I proved them wrong. They threatened me with imprisonment unless I wrote them a check for $10,000 that day. I wasn’t receiving Medicare either. I was denied a to see my file, or the information they had on his computer. I filed numerous waiver forms. A Federal Court Judge found me to be not guilty. I filed 2 Discrimination reports that were ignored. I’ve wrote Councilmen, Congressman, Senators, Govereners even the President. Assured this matter would be handled. And taken care of. I even made my own recordings of our Administrator laughing at me, saying I could refile but he won’t grant it. I was threatened, Bribed, and bullied that day. We even lost our home. The Civil Rights Attorney agrees with me. I have 4 bins of proof plus recordings and I’m still fighting for my son and my self. Mr. Tatrault claims I lost my benefits in 2014. My paperwork says different. If that’s the case where did all that money go since September 2010 til now. Oh no our government agencies aren’t corrupt. Please. Some oath they took. Great job in up holding the Constitution. See for your self. Amanda

    • MJean

      Please get accurate official info – call SS & Medicare each 3 times to see if they give you different answers!

  9. Charles W.

    Humana dropped my Dental Insurance at end of 2014 and did not let me know. I did not know this till I Went in for my yearly checkup on June 17th. I was paying for each month up to date. I called them and all they could say is, sorry this happened. They did not help my situation.
    Charles

    • Sue B.

      I was a big fan of Humana for eight years. Then…this year, I discover the two hospitals in my area are out-of-network. Also the labs for blood work are no longer contracted. I was recently referred to a specialist…there are none in my area who accept Humana. Moral of this story: Do my homework every year and trust no one.

  10. Joyce B.

    This is good info. I am still employed full time. However I have watched generation after generation of women in my family struggle to afford mandatory medicine. Women in my family tend to out live their male counterparts husbands, brothers, etc. My mother and sister both lost their significant others and had to learn to live on 1 income. They worked their whole lives and contributed to the system. And then when they retired they could not survive financially and meet all basic needs. I.e. heart medication, diabetic medicine. meds that you cant skip.
    It is sad to see our elderly in the US struggle to meet basic essentials in life to survive. medical, food, shelter. We should help our elderly to have medical and food after they have paved the way for all of us. I will do my part to get this info out to my family member’s, church members, peers and neighbors. thank you for sending this info.

    • Christie F.

      just as an aside (suggestion), some diabetics need to change their diet. And as far as medication goes they can contact the maker of the specific medication and ask for coupons or discounted pills.

      • Shannon

        If a senior has a Part D drug card the drug manufacturers will NOT provide free medication or reduced price medication. The only way they help is if the person has NO drug card, either Part D or a retiree card. The senior also has to be very low income for this help.

        • Christina

          Why is Bayer is making every medicine expensive?

        • Carolyn B.

          I’m paying out of the pocket for the Migraine Medication which IS VERY COSTLY .This medication can NOT be gereric! iT’S THE only MEDICATION I CAN TAKE TO KEEP THE mIGRAINES UNDER CONTROL. I WAS DIAGNOSED BY 3 SPECIATISTS, AND 3 CAT-SCANS. I have tried for a long time to get help with nto help at all!

        • medadvocates.com

          Shannon, this is not an accurate statement. We help many, many people who have Medicare Part D get free medication from the manufacturers.

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    • Dottie

      You are so right Joyce!! It seems that every time we turn around they are taking AWAY from the Seniors! This government is a disgrace! I’m still working full time, I’m 68, but will retire in 23 months. I’m not too worried because I’ll get a small pension check, SS check, and I have IRS’s, my Advisor said I should be fine. BUT what about all the “older” seniors who can’t pay their bills, buy food, etc. This once Great Country needs to wake up and take care of the people who built this country and fought for it!! And look “what” is running for president!! We are in deep trouble and I feel sorry for my Grandchildren and their children, its not going to get any better for them!! UGH!!!

      • MJean

        I am about your same age, and see how the USA has gotten much worse in many ways under obama, so let us all pray for a much better POTUS!

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