Medicare’s Extra Help
Medicare provides “extra help” to pay prescription drug costs for people who meet specific income and resources limits. Resources include your savings and stocks, but not your home or care. If you qualify, you will get help paying for your Medicare drug plan’s monthly premium, yearly deductible, and prescription copayments. If you qualify for extra help, you won’t have a coverage gap.
The 2007 guidelines for extra help for single individuals is an income less than $15,315 and assets worth less than $11,710. For married couples the guideline for income is $20,535 and for assets $23,410.
To apply for extra help call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or you can file an application online through the Social Security Website. If you prefer a paper application call MassMedLine and we can place one in the mail for you. If you currently have MassHealth or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) than you automatically qualify for extra help.