Eligibility and help paying
How can I get help paying for Medicare?
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Short answer
If your income and savings are limited, your state's Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium, and the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program also pays Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
Extra Help lowers Part D drug costs; in 2026 it is generally available with yearly income below $23,940 for an individual ($32,460 for a married couple) and resources below $18,090 ($36,100 for a couple).
You apply for Medicare Savings Programs through your state Medicaid office and for Extra Help through Social Security, and some states use higher limits, so it's worth applying even if you're unsure.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Help income limit | $23,940 a year (individual); $32,460 (married couple) | Medicare.gov |
| Extra Help resource limit | $18,090 (individual); $36,100 (married couple) | Medicare.gov |
| QMB income limit | $1,350 a month (individual); $1,824 (married couple) | Medicare.gov |
| Medicare Savings Program resource limit | $9,950 (individual); $14,910 (couple) | Medicare.gov |
| Automatic Extra Help | Full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI | Medicare.gov |
What are Medicare Savings Programs?
Medicare Savings Programs are run by states to help pay Medicare costs. Your state decides which program you qualify for when you apply, and states can use higher limits than the federal ones below or not count some income and resources.
| Program | What it pays | Monthly income limit (individual / couple) |
|---|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays | $1,350 / $1,824 |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Part B premium | $1,616 / $2,184 |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Part B premium | $1,816 / $2,455 |
The federal resource limit is $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a married couple; limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. With QMB, Medicare providers aren't allowed to bill you for Medicare-covered services. Joining any of these programs qualifies you for Extra Help automatically.
What is Extra Help?
Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) helps pay Medicare drug plan premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays. People with full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program or Supplemental Security Income get it automatically; others apply through Social Security. People with Extra Help pay no Part D late enrollment penalty and can change drug plans once a month toward Original Medicare with a stand-alone Part D plan. In 2026, the limits are $23,940 in yearly income and $18,090 in resources for an individual ($32,460 and $36,100 for a married couple).
What counts as resources?
Resources include money in checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Your home, one car, burial plots, and personal and household belongings don't count.
How do I apply?
- Extra Help: apply online with Social Security at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. The application also starts a Medicare Savings Program application with your state unless you say no.
- Medicare Savings Programs: apply through your state Medicaid office. Medicare.gov advises applying even if you don't think you qualify.
- Medicaid: apply through your state Medicaid agency; full Medicaid can cover Medicare costs and long-term care.
What else can help?
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan spreads drug costs into monthly payments (it doesn't lower them). Some states have pharmaceutical assistance programs, and PACE programs in some areas cover care for people who need a nursing-home level of care. If your income is high, you can ask Social Security to lower IRMAA after a life-changing event.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Do I have to be on Medicaid to get help with Medicare costs?
Does my house count against the Extra Help limit?
Can I get Extra Help with a Medicare Advantage plan?
Is Extra Help available in Puerto Rico and the territories?
Related questions
In depth
- Medicare.gov: Medicare Savings Programs
- Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs (Extra Help)
- Medicare.gov: Medicaid
- Medicare.gov: Help with costs
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.