Help with Medicare Costs

If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help to assist in paying for your Part D drugs. Many people qualify for this Medicare program and don’t even know it. It helps pay some costs, such as these:

• Plan premiums
• Prescription deductibles
• Coverage gap
• Copays
• Coinsurance

Use the income table below to see if you qualify for one or more of these programs. As a first step in checking to see if you qualify, make sure your income is below the preset income limits. Some programs include additional limitations beyond just income.

PACE and PACENET

Pennsylvania has two prescription assistance programs for older adults. PACE and PACENET offer low-cost prescription medication to qualified residents age 65 and older.

To see if you qualify for PACE or PACENET:

Call the Pennsylvania Department of Aging at 1-800-225-7223 (TTY: 1-800-222-9004) weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or enroll online at pacecares.magellanhealth.com.

Extra Help Program for Prescriptions

The federal Medicare program offers Extra Help for prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries who qualify. To receive Extra Help, a person must be on Medicare, have limited resources and income, and reside in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.

To see if you qualify for Extra Help:

Call 1-800-MEDICARE
1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048)
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or visit medicare.gov.

Call Social Security
1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778)
weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Medicaid

Medicaid provides health coverage to millions of low-income individuals. It is administered by states according to federal requirements and is funded by states and the federal government together to make sure everyone can get the care they need. Medicaid is designed to cover almost all costs for those who need it most.

To see if you qualify for Medical Assistance (Medicaid):

Call Medical Assistance at 1-800-692-7462 (TTY: 1-800-451-5886) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Veterans Affairs benefits

If you have served in the armed forces, you may have additional benefits provided to you by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

To see if you qualify for VA benefits:

Go to your local VA facility or apply online at VA.gov.