How can I get help paying for Medicare coverage?

Who is this for?

Learn more about enrolling in Medicare.

If you’re worried about how you’ll pay for Medicare, this article can help you find the resources you'll need to get financial assistance.

Health care can be expensive, even if you have Medicare coverage. You may be able to get help paying for your monthly Medicare premium and other costs if you meet certain requirements.

Low-Income Subsidy

If you need help paying for prescription drug coverage, the Low-Income Subsidy may be right for you. Also called Extra Help, this government program pays up to 75 percent of monthly prescription drug premiums, coinsurance, annual deductibles and other Medicare-related costs. It can also help you save, because you won’t be subject to late enrollment penalties or coverage gaps.

If you're already receiving the Low-Income Subsidy, you should receive a letter from the Social Security Administration. If you think you might be eligible and you don't receive a letter, you can contact your local Social Security Administration office.

To find out what you might pay once you have Extra Help, you can use the Low-Income Subsidy premium charts in our Help Center. 

If you’d like more information about the Low-Income Subsidy, you can:

  • Visit the Social Security website.
  • Contact your local Social Security Office or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
We use the most current information available to us to determine your level of extra help. This is known as Best Available Evidence. 

If you’re already using the Low-Income Subsidy, but your income or family situation has changed, you’ll need to update your status with the program. To do this you can:

Medicaid

Medicaid is a partnership program between your state and the federal government. It helps pay for medical costs, including the personal care and nursing home services covered by Medicare. You may qualify for Medicaid coverage if:

  • You meet the state of Michigan’s income requirements.
  • Your income is above the state of Michigan's income requirements but you have a high number of medical bills. 

 

To find out more about qualifying for Medicaid, you can call your local Medicaid office or visit Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.