Costs

Can I get help paying for Medicare?

Yes. If your income and resources are limited, two kinds of programs can sharply cut your Medicare costs: Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Part B premium and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance, while Extra Help lowers what you pay for Part D prescription drugs. You can qualify for both, and applying is free.

Reviewed by Scott Stafford, Licensed Insurance Agent

Last updated

Help with premiums and medical costs

Medicare Savings Programs are run by your state and help with the costs of Original Medicare. They go by initials — QMB, SLMB, and QI — and which one you qualify for depends on your income and resources. The most comprehensive level pays your Part B premium along with deductibles and coinsurance; the others focus on covering the Part B premium itself, which alone is worth $202.90 a month in 2026.

Help with drug costs

Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, lowers what you pay for prescriptions. Depending on your situation it can reduce or erase your drug plan’s premium and deductible and hold your copays to small fixed amounts. Qualifying for Extra Help also opens a Special Enrollment Period so you can pick or change a drug plan.

How to apply

You apply for a Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid office, and for Extra Help through Social Security, online or by phone. The two are connected: qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program usually enrolls you in Extra Help automatically. If you also qualify for full Medicaid, you become "dual eligible," with even broader help.

Common questions

Can I get help paying for Medicare? FAQ

What programs help pay for Medicare?
Two main ones: Medicare Savings Programs, which help pay your Part B premium and sometimes your deductibles and coinsurance, and Extra Help, which lowers your Part D prescription drug costs. Many people qualify for both.
Where do I apply for help with Medicare costs?
Apply for Medicare Savings Programs through your state Medicaid office and for Extra Help through Social Security. Qualifying for a Savings Program usually enrolls you in Extra Help automatically.
Do these programs have income limits?
Yes — each has income and resource limits that are updated every year. The limits are higher than many people expect, so it’s worth applying even if you’re not sure you qualify.

Ready to compare?

See plans and prices in your area.

Enter your ZIP and we’ll take you to PlanMatch Medicare to compare the 2026 plans available where you live.