The Federal Government provides an extensive program for people needing financial assistance with the Medicare Part D program. Depending on your income and available financial resources , Medicare will provide 'Extra Help' that may cover 85% to 100% of prescription costs and may also pay a part or all of your Medicare Part D premiums.

1. Extra Help Income Levels
2. Partial Extra Help
3. Medicare Extra Help Levels
4. What Is The Income Limit For Extra Help In 2020
5. How To Get Help With Copays

• 2020 Guidelines Low Income Subsidy - Extra Help Paying for Medicare Part D Costs Many people with Medicare who have limited resources will get extra help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage. Some people will qualify to enroll in a plan and pay no premiums or deductibles and co-pays.
• Can I get Extra Help with premium costs for 2020? If you qualify for Extra Help, Medicare may pay some or all of your Part D premium. Extra Help is only. Copay of the benefit, whichever is less. You must continue to pay your Part B premium. If you are already getting Extra Help, you may receive (or may have received) a letter from Medicare.

What help can I receive? Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help with their Medicare prescription drug plan costs. The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $5,000 per year. To qualify for the Extra Help, a person must be receiving Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia.

Who Qualifies for 'Extra Help'?

For the plan year 2021 If your income is below $19,320 per year for a single person (or $26,130 for a married couple living together or even more if you have dependent children or grandchildren living with you), AND if your assets (resources) are below $13,290* for a single person (or $26,520* if you are married). *These limits do not include the $1,500 per person burial exclusion, see more details below.

The following items are NOT included in income:

• Housing assistance,
• Medical treatment and drugs,
• Food stamp assistance, etc.

Click Here to see more payments that do NOT count toward income.

$1,500 per person Burial Exclusion:
All beneficiaries are permitted a $1,500 per person burial exclusion from their resources. This exclusion can be taken into account by either reducing your resources by $1,500 per person (Medicare & Your Handbook) or by increasing the resource limit by $1,500 per person (Most other Social Security Administration and Medicare documents). Below is a chart showing the resource figures with, and without taking into account the burial exclusion:

Maximum Resource Limit	With $1,500 Burial Exclusion	Without $1,500 Burial Exclusion
Individuals	$14,790	$13,290
Couples	$29,520	$26,520

The following items are included in resources:

• bank accounts,
• stocks and bonds,
• Real estate (other than your primary residence), etc.

The following items are NOT included in resources:

• the house you live in,
• your car,
• other personal possessions such as your furniture and jewelry, etc.
• burial plots,
• up to$1,500 for burial expenses (per person), or
• life insurance policies.

Extra Help Income Levels

Click Here to see more assets that do NOT count toward resources.

Partial Extra Help

Who Should You Contact for 'Extra Help'?

Medicare Beneficiaries Who are interested in qualifying for financial 'extra help' with the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans should visit http://www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020

Also see:

Medicare Extra Help Levels

The Federal Medicare Extra Help program also referred as the Medicare Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program, is for people with full Medicaid coverage as well as for people who are not on Medicaid but who have limited income. (See Medicare Extra Help / Low Income Subsidy (LIS)).

Medicare Low Income Subsidy (LIS) – 2021

Here are 2020 Low-Income Subsidy Copayments:

• Full Benefit Dual Eligibles Institutionalized or Receiving Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): $0
• Full Benefit Dual Eligibles with Incomes <= 100% of Federal Poverty Level
  • Generic/Preferred Drugs: $1.30
  • Other: $4.00
  • Above Catastrophic Limit: $0.00

• Full Benefit Dual with Incomes > 100% of Federal Poverty Level & Other Full-Subsidy Eligible Beneficiaries
  • Deductible: $0
  • Generic/Preferred Drugs: $3.70
  • Other: $9.20
  • Above Catastrophic Limit: $0.00
• Beneficiaries with QMB/SLMB/QI, SSI or applied an income below 135% FPL and resources below $9,360 (individuals, 2021) and below $14,800 (couples, 2021)
  • Beneficiaries
  • Deductible: $0
  • Generic/Preferred Drugs: $3.70
  • Other: $9.20
  • Above Catastrophic Limit: $0.00
• Beneficiaries with income below 150% FPL and resources between $9,361 and $14,610 (individuals, 2021) or between $14,801 and $29,160 (couples, 2021)
  • Deductible: $92.00
  • Coinsurance to Initial Coverage Limit: 15%
  • Generics Above Catastrophic Limit: $3.70
  • Others Above Catastrophic Limit: $9.20

How to Apply?

To apply for Low Income Subsidy (LIS), complete the Social Security Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020).

You may do it one of three ways:

• Apply online at www.ssa.gov/extrahelp; or
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to apply over the phone or to request an application; or
• Apply at your local Social Security office.

After you apply, Social Security will review the application and send you a letter informing whether you are qualified for Low Income Subsidy. Once you qualify, you can choose a Medicare Prescription Drug plan. If you do not select a plan, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services will do it for you. The sooner you join a plan, the sooner you begin receiving benefits.

To learn more, read Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs

What Is The Income Limit For Extra Help In 2020

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How To Get Help With Copays

For help finding the best Medicare or Individual Health Plan for you, please contact Liberty Medicare or call us at 877-657-7477.