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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Vince
I wish i was in a lot of y’alls shoes. I am on SSI disability Medicaid and only drawl $733 a month. I am only allowed 5 prescriptions a month. I am on 9 medications and I have to go some months and not take my medications cause I can’t afford The ones Medicaid TennCare refuse to cover. I have to pay $1276 out of pocket for 5 prescriptions that are not covered. I will never get Medicare cause when I applied for disability I was short on points. It took me 27 months to get ssi disability. While I was fighting for ssi disability I had CoverTN and I paid less for my meds than i do now. I can’t get extra help for Rx coverage. My family helps me as much as possible. I wish i could go back to work but I have a disease that causes me to lose my limbs. Yes Medicaid is good when it comes to paying in full on hospital stays and Dr.appointments but TennCare pays what they want too and I keep losing Doctors cause they quit taking my insurance. But Medicaid should have a program for extra help for medications. If i could purchase rx coverage it would be cheaper on me cause without one of my meds I have to not take cause it cost $662 out of pocket, keeps me in pain all day night long. .
Please help Medicaid.
Tisha T.
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Charles
Why doesn’t “Extra Help” consider the applicant’s present prescription drug costs as a factor in determining eligibility for the program? Using only income and assets does not give much of a picture of the situation.
In our situation the Part D premium, the deductible and the copays chew through a large percentage of our income but that’s not considered, as we struggle to keep up with 14 meds on a monthly basis.
R.F.
Hi Charles, please visit http://www.Medicare.gov for general information on the Medicare Part D program.
Charles
I know “all” about the program because I’ve applied and been rejected because my income is a bit too high. My assets are minimal. My prescription coverage premium plus co-pays for 14 medications per month are astronomical but that fact is not considered in the application process, which is the point I was making. SO, even with much of my income going to prescription costs, I am out of luck. Nice, eh?
Pat F.
I think that in some cases if the drug is time-release, it may have a very different hourly profile in your body when you go generic. Like instead of being slow release, you may feel the drug effects all at once. Generic medications can be got in comparison to brand one to save your money.
Misssy2
I’m not going to qualify for Extra help..I worked my whole life and never had a copayment…I am not understanding how now that I am getting MUCH less $ I have to pay more for Medical.
It seems everyone thinks Medicare is a good system.
I don’t see it….I have to pay the 121 a month…then a Part D and then a supplement.
As I fall just above the income requirements for help..about 200 dollars a year so divide that by 362 days or how many in a year…really?
John S.
I Receive Notification That I No L:onger Qualify For Extra Help. I Need To Know Why.
R.F.
Hi John. Unfortunately and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. One of our representatives should be able to provide you with an explanation and answer questions about your Extra-Help benefits and eligibility. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Don
The link to apply for extra help is not working. Any idea when this might be up again or has the program been discontinued
..
Hello Don: Please visit: Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs for information and to apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. To qualify, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Hope this helps.
kimberly j.
I have turned in my application for yearly review for food stamps and medical extra help I have always qualified since Feb it had taken out 400.00 from my social security payment Jan and Feb then march April may all due to filling out forms faxed notified by confirmation so I never heard from state got notice food stamp approved and medical all re instated again still got my scripts paid.Copy 6 to 15.dollars still totally cheap. Help me understand again told medical denied again a nice lady beth finally just did application over phone I faxed bank statements that would start up my medical premium from being withdrawn from my social security check since January . ok finally I can ask i will get back all the huge premiums I paid. 6 months worth due to workers not using faxes I verified all requirements. I was told I won’t get all my premiums I paid . why can’t I please advice me asap