Introduction to Medicare
Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
What is Extra Help?
Extra Help is a program offered by Medicare for people with low incomes and limited assets. This is also called Low Income Subsidy or LIS. But less than half of the people eligible for Extra Help sign up. So if you need help paying Part D premiums, deductibles and copays and think you might qualify, submit an application.
Do I qualify for Extra Help?
To be eligible for help with drug costs, you must:
- Live in the United States or District of Columbia.1
- Qualify for Medicare Part A and/or be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
- Have less than $19,320 in annual income2/$15,510 in assets (if single).2
- Have less than $26,130 in annual income2/$30,950 in assets (if married).2
Learn more about income and resource levels, counting your assets and how to apply for Extra Help here.
1Programs may vary if you live in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. Income amounts will vary for Hawaii and Alaska.
2Even if you have more or less than these amounts, you might still qualify for Extra Help and the amounts may change each year. The resource limits include $1,500 per person for burial expenses.
If you aren't getting Extra Help, find out if you qualify by calling:
- 1-800-Medicare (TTY/TDD users call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- Your State Medicaid Office
- The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Get more information about qualifying for Extra Help.
UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Plans
See all of the Medicare Advantage, Medicare Prescription Drug, and Medicare Supplement plans where you live.
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AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company.
Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, 185 Asylum Street, Hartford, CT 06103 (available in all states/territories except ND, NY) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, 1600 McConnor Parkway, Floor 2, Schaumburg, IL 60173 (available in AR, AZ, IL, IN, MS, NC, ND, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, 2950 Expressway Drive South, Suite 240, Islandia, NY 11749 (for NY residents). Policy Form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).
In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.
Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.
This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.
You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan.
THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.
Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.
This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.
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