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Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

Need help paying for Medicare?

Medicare Savings Programs may reduce your costs

If you're on Medicare, you may qualify for programs that might save you more than $1,150 a year. It may cover:

  • Part A premiums
  • Part B premiums
  • Medicare copayments
  • Medicare deductibles

You can have either Original Medicare (Part A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C).

Medicare Savings Programs to help with Medicare Parts A and B costs

(Effective April 1, 2012)

Type of Medicare program
Monthly income (individual)
Monthly income (couple)
Assets* less than:
Program 1
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
Up to $931
Up to $1,261
$6,940/singles
$10,410/couples
Program 2
Special Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Up to $1,117
Up to $1,513
Program 3
Qualified Individual-1
Up to $1,257
Up to $1,702


*The Department of Social and Health Services does not count $1,500 above asset limits per person if it's set aside in a specific account for burial costs.

Get help with Medicare Part D prescription drug costs

If you qualify for Medicare's Extra Help program that helps people with limited income, it will help you cover the following Part D costs:

  • Premiums
  • Deductibles
  • Some copays
  • Donut hole/coverage gap (This is when Medicare temporarily stops paying for your prescriptions and you have to pay the entire cost of medications.)

Caution:  If you receive prescription coverage from an employer plan, you may not want to apply for this help. It could cause you to lose your employer health plan.

Extra Help for Part D

 
Income less than:
Assets less than:
Single person

$1,397 per month

$16,764 per year
$13, 070
Couple

$1,892 per month

$22,704 per year
$26,120


Note:  People who work may have higher income and still qualify for Extra Help!

 

Help is available to understand your Medicare choices

SHIBA, Washington's State Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, offers one-on-one, confidential assistance.

Call SHIBA at 800-562-6900 or email us for free, unbiased help.




Updated 05/16/2012

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Need more help? Call our FREE Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900
or Email us at cap@oic.wa.gov.