It’s Easy to Get Extra Help with Your Prescription Costs
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
In times like these, every dollar counts. Some people qualify for big savings on their Medicare prescription drug costs and don’t even realize it! In fact, if you receive Medicare, you may be eligible for the Extra Help, which could save you about $4,000 per year on your monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.
To qualify for Extra Help, you must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. To find out if you qualify, Social Security will need to know the value of your savings, investments, real estate (other than your home), and your income. We will also need information about you and your spouse, if you are married and living together.
To apply for Extra Help, you need to complete Social Security’s Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs. Our secure online application has self-help screens that guide you through a series of questions. You can apply from the comfort of your home, or from any other computer that is convenient to you. You can start and stop the application at any time, and go back later to finish it.
If you choose, you can apply for Extra Help over the phone by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office.
After you apply, Social Security will review your application and send you a letter letting you know if you qualify for Extra Help. Once you qualify, you can choose a Medicare prescription drug plan.
When you file your application for Extra Help, you can also start an application for a Medicare Savings Program — state programs that provide help to people with limited resources and income with Medicare expenses
Make sure you aren’t missing out on these easy savings. The sooner you apply , the sooner your savings begin.
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Tags: Medicare, online services
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Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications
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jdmontross
How is one suppose to make an intelligent choice about what Medicare D plan to enroll in when one month later there are new rates for the plans as it is a new year.
R.F.
To learn about the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D), go to http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/.
jbb
name jbb you slave an cut back an save for when you get old . then you get kick in the ass for doing what is right. the off spring are seeing this .an how we are getting rip off. why should we save.that is what they say let gov .take care of us like the one’s from other country’s.i went with out a lot. an didn’t have toy’s an go place’s with the kids when now the ones that had fun live a eazy life are better off i can go on an on all i can say is wake up u.s.a.
Napoleon
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Maria A.
I am 65 years old and i was told to apply for medicare . My husband is an active employee and have a medical insurance for both of us but someone informed that I need to apply when i turned 65 anyway. Do I have to wait until my husband end up his job or do I need to apply now?
Jose
Hi Maria, If you are eligible for part A I would consider taking it as it is at no cost to you. As for Part B I would talk to HR at your husbands job to see if it is considered to be as good as Medicare. Because if it is then once your husband decides to retire then you and him if medicare eligible will have a special enrollment period to get part B and D .
R.F.
Hi Maria. If you are 65 or older and not ready to start your monthly cash benefits yet, you can use our online retirement application to sign up for Medicare ONLY and apply for your retirement or spouses benefits later. If you already get Social Security benefits, we’ll automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). However, because you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down.
Also, if your husband is actively working and you are covered under his employer’s group health insurance program, you can delay enrollment into Medicare Part B until your husband stops working or the health coverage is dropped. However, we suggest that individuals speak to their health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future. To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov. For specific questions about your case, call 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you, or you can contact your local office directly. Hope this helps!
Marti
There are many ways to get help on Prescription Drugs.
1. Call 800-772-1213 or go on-line to ssa.gov
Ask for help with Social Security Administration Extra Help for Prescription Drugs.
2. Call 800-Medicar and ask for the phone number of your local SHIP office, State Health Insurance Plan.
3. Look in your local phone book for Community Based Services (many call it the welfare office, their name has changed over the years). Ask for an appointment and see if you qualify for QMB, SLMB, QI to help pay Part B Premiums, or qualify for Medicaid.
4. Look in local phone book or ask your pharmacy/doctor office to please provide a phone number for your local Community Action Program. The CA offices partner with funding sources to help pay utility bills for those in need. They will also advise you of Nutritional Programs in your community that can provide boxes of food.
There are programs in your community. If you can not find help then at least talk to any minister in your community, they will have knowledge of locations near you.
For those who mentioned high costs for injectable like insulin or any other name brand drugs that are too costly for you, please ask your Provider, doctor or nurse or pharmacist to help you file for Patient Assistance on your medications.
For our Veterans, thank you for your service. Please call the VA and see if you might qualify for medical care and prescription drug programs through the VA.
I am not a federal nor state employee. I just know these services are available in every community.
Heidi
Marti, this kind of help is only for people who have no home. Once you buy a house, no matter how cheap, you don’t qualify for any help. Might be better off to live on the street. I don’t think the government cares about the people who served their country and are now old. Not only military, just old people in general. It would take a LOT of convincing for
me think otherwise.
Thankful
I am very thankful for Social Security and Medicare. Many of us will live longer than our investment in the program. Many complaints about programs and benefits can be solved by READING the information provided by our government.
Dont blame the government for for drug prices caused by business greed.
R.F.
Thank you for sharing! Social Security is committed to providing world-class customer service today and in the years to come. We value your input!
Laura
I don’t qualify; but still pay through the nose for my meds! What people don’t know is that docs are getting paid on a percentage basis for the meds they prescribe…any “change” to an old med makes it new and therefore they can charge more until the patent expires again! I used to hit the donut hole about August, now I hit it this year in February!!! I pay over $500 a month for one of my pain meds because it’s now “new” as it is crush-proof so addicts can’t use it to get high. How did that become my faultl?
Susan
Doctors do not, as a rule, get paid for changing the medication. I am married to one and he does not get kick backs. You need to be up front in the discussion with your doctor about your meds and your financial situation. I don’t like paying a higher co-pay($50) for brand name when I could have gotten something that is a generic($10) in the same category that probably works just as well. I let my doctor know that I want generic and not the latest drug on the market. You have the right to your own health and your choices.
Mary
I just did! This is the third or forth time now. If you can’t leave comments why do you say you can?
Mary
How many times a year can you apply for extra Help?
R.F.
Hi Mary, your eligibility will be reviewed every year to see if you still qualify for Extra Help. If you do qualify, you don’t need to reapply because the review will be sent to you automatically. However, if, in any year we tell you that you don’t qualify, but you think you do, you will have to re-apply. Remember, you can re-apply for Extra Help at any time if your income and resources change. If you have specific questions, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanks.
Patricia R.
I have Medicaid part A I thought I had signed for B also please inform. Can I apply on line or the 800#
R.F.
Hi Patricia, if you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1–March 31 each year. To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov. For more information call us at 1-800-772-1213, M-F between 7a.m. and 7 p.m., and ask a representative to assist you, or contact your local office. Thanks!