Get help paying your Medicare costs
You worked hard for your Medicare benefits. But Medicare still has costs. It’s good to know this early.
Some health care costs are up front, like the monthly premium you pay to keep your Medicare coverage. Other costs come when you get care. These include the amount you pay at the doctor visit for your share of the care. You may also pay a part of the cost if you stay in the hospital.
These costs can add up. Not everyone can afford them.
The good news is that you may qualify for help paying for Medicare.
Here are some options that may help you.
What these programs can help pay for
Medicare has many parts and it can be hard to know what you must pay for. This section explains the main costs these programs can cover.
These programs may help with:
- Your Medicare Part A costs
- Your Medicare Part B costs
- Deductibles
- Coinsurance
- Copays
- Prescription drug plan costs through Medicare Extra Help
Many people say, "I need help paying my Medicare costs." These programs exist for that reason. These programs are also called Medicare subsidies because they help lower what you pay.
Need help with Medicare terms? Check out the ones people confuse the most.
What counts as income and assets
For these Medicare Savings Programs, your state checks your income and assets when you apply. This section keeps it simple, so you know what counts.
Your income is the amount of money you earn each year.
Your assets are things you own that have value. But not everything you own counts as an asset when you apply for a Medicare savings program. Here’s what counts and what doesn’t.
Counts as an asset:
Any money you have in the bank
Stocks you may own
Bonds you may hold
Any real estate you own that you don’t live in
Investments held through a financial institution, like a certificate of deposit (CD) or mutual fund
Doesn’t count as an asset:
The house you live in
One vehicle like a car, motor home or motorcycle (additional vehicles count as assets)
Household items (for example, your television or computer)
Burial funds up to $1,500 per person
Types of Medicare Savings Programs
These programs can help you pay for Medicare. Each one has its own income rules and assets. There are the four main programs. This section explains what each one does.
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
QMB is a program that can lower many of your Medicare costs.
QMB helps pay for:
- Medicare Part A premiums
- Medicare Part B premiums
- Deductibles
- Copays
- Coinsurance
Income limits in 2026:
- Up to $1,350 each month for one person
- Up to $1,824 each month for a couple
Asset limits in 2026:
- Up to $9,950 for one person
- Up to $14,910 for a couple
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
This is also called Medicare SLMB. SLMB helps you pay your Medicare Part B premium.
Income limits in 2026:
- Up to $1,616 each month for one person
- Up to $2,184 each month for a couple
Asset limits in 2026:
- Up to $9,950 for one person
- Up to $14,910 for a couple
This is a good choice if you need help with Medicare Part B costs
- Qualified Individual (QI) Program
This is a program that helps you pay for your Part B premium. Funds may be limited, so it’s good to apply early.
Income limits in 2026:
- Up to $1,816 each month for one person
- Up to $2,455 each month for a couple
Asset limits in 2026:
- Up to $9,950 for one person
- Up to $14,910 for a couple
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program
This is a program for people who have a disability and are working again. It helps with paying the Medicare Part A premium costs.
You may qualify if:
- You have a disability
- You are working
- You lost your Social Security disability and premium-free Part A when you went back to work
Income limits in 2026:
- Up to $5,405 each month for one person
- Up to $7,299 each month for a couple
Asset limits in 2026:
- Up to $4,000 for one person
- Up to $6,000 for a couple
If you need help paying for Medicare, these programs may help reduce your costs.
Medicare and Medicaid dual eligibility coverage
Medicaid is a health insurance program run by each state. It helps people with low income and low assets. Every state sets its own rules for income, assets and what benefits they cover.
You can get help from both Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. If you qualify for both, you may be able to join a Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan (D-SNP). This type of plan can give you more benefits than Original Medicare.
Who is full-benefit dual eligible?
If you enroll in Medicare and also meet your state Medicaid rules, you may be full-benefit dual eligible.
What states look at for Medicaid:
- Your income
- Your assets
- Your citizenship
- Your state residency
What Medicaid may cover
If you are full-benefit dual eligible, you may get benefits from both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid may help pay for:
- Some care in your home, like help getting in and out of bed or getting dressed
- Care in a nursing home
- Some prescription drugs that your Medicare Part D plan does not cover
Learn more about Aetna® Medicare Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs)
Paying for a prescription drug plan with Medicare Extra Help Drug costs can add up fast. Extra Help can make your prescription drug plan easier to afford. If you qualify for one of these Medicare Savings Programs, you can also get Extra Help:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
- Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
- Qualified Individual (QI) Program
What is Extra Help and how does it work with Medicare Part D?
“Extra Help” is a Medicare federal program.
- Medicare Part D covers your prescription drugs
- Part D plans may have a premium, a deductible, and a copay or coinsurance
- Extra Help provides financial assistance with the cost of your Medicare Part D drugs
- Extra Help is also called the Part D Low Income Subsidy.
Learn more about Medicare Part D
You may still get Extra Help even if you aren’t in a Medicare Savings Program.
You may qualify in 2026 if your income is:
- Up to $2,015 each month as an individual
- Up to $2,725 each month as a couple
Asset limits in 2026:
- Up to $18,090 for an individual
- Up to $36,100 for a couple
How Extra Help lowers your costs
- It may cut or remove your Part D plan premium
- It may lower or remove your Medicare deductible
- It can reduce what you pay for covered drugs
Finding out if you qualify for Medicare financial assistance
It can be hard to know what programs you can get. There are many programs and they all help with different costs. But you don’t have to figure it out alone.
A good place to start
Visit BenefitsCheckup.org
The site has a free online tool from the National Council on Aging. The tool helps you see what benefits you may get.
Other places that can help
Insurance brokers
State offices on aging
It is OK to ask for help. Reach out if you want to know if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare coverage.
