News & Events

Saving money on health costs: Medicare’s Extra Help

By Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Have you ever found yourself skipping a day of your medication or cutting your pills in half to make your supply last a little longer? Or, have you put off filling a prescription because you’re having trouble making ends meet? If so, we can help. Medicare has a special program called “Extra Help.” If you have limited income and resources, you can sign up to get help paying things like your monthly premium, annual deductible, and prescription copayments in your Medicare drug plan. In 2015, drug costs for most people who qualify will be no more than $2.65 for each generic drug and $6.60 for each brand-name drug. Even if you’re not sure you’d qualify, it’s worth filling out an application to see. Many people with Medicare may be eligible for the Extra Help program but don’t even know it. Are you or a family member one of them? It’s easy and free to apply for Extra Help. Here’s how:

• Apply online.
• Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1‑800‑325‑0778.
• Apply at your local Social Security office.