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Medicare Extra Help Income Limits for 2024

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Medicare Extra Help Income Limits

Medicare Extra Help is a subsidy program that’s designed to assist eligible Medicare recipients with paying for their prescription drug costs. Some people who have Medicare Part D qualify for Extra Help benefits automatically. Those who don’t qualify automatically can still apply and eligibility is determined based on their income and assets. Before filling out the application, it’s important to understand the Medicare Extra Help income limits for 2024. If you have questions about how Medicare Extra Help could impact your retirement, consider speaking with a financial advisor.

What Is Medicare Extra Help?

Medicare Extra Help is a subsidy program that’s designed for certain Medicare recipients who have Part D drug coverage. This program can help to:

  • Reduce your out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs
  • Eliminate Medicare Part D premiums
  • Reduce or eliminate your annual Medicare Part D deductibles
  • Eliminate the Medicare donut hole or coverage gap
  • Avoid the late enrollment penalty

The program can drastically reduce what you pay for prescriptions. Once Extra Help participants have total drug costs of $8,000 in 2024 ($4.15 for generic prescription drugs and $10.35 for brand-name drugs) covered medicines are free. Social Security Administration estimates that Extra Help benefits in 2024 are worth an approximate average of $5,300.

2024 Income Limits for Medicare Extra Help

Medicare Extra Help eligibility is based on someone’s income and the financial resources they have available to help pay for Medicare prescription drug costs. The limit that applies to you can depend on whether you’re married or not.

Below is a breakdown of the Medicare Extra Help income and asset limits for 2024. Note that in 2024, the income limit was adjusted from 135% of the federal poverty line to 150% of that guideline.

  • Single person: Yearly income less than $22,590 ($1,882.50 monthly) and an asset limit up to $17,220
  • Married person: Yearly income less than $30,660 ($2,555 monthly) and an asset limit up to $34,360

It’s possible to qualify if your income is above the Medicare Extra Help income limits for 2024. There may be higher income allowances for people who are still working, have dependents who live with you or live in Alaska or Hawaii. You can check with your local social services office or Social Security to discuss options.

Certain types of income are also excluded from calculations for Extra Help eligibility for nine months. That includes:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
  • Housing assistance benefits
  • Home energy assistance
  • Assistance with medical treatment and drugs
  • Disaster assistance
  • Earned income tax credit payments
  • Assistance from others to pay household expenses
  • Victim’s compensation payments
  • Scholarships and education grants

You can also follow up with Social Security to ask about any other income exclusions that may apply. The more types of income you can exclude, the easier it may be to qualify for Medicare Extra Help under the 2024 income limits. Aside from income, the types of resources Medicare considers for Extra Help eligibility include:

  • Checking accounts
  • Savings accounts
  • Retirement accounts
  • Taxable investment accounts

Certain resources are excluded. For example, Medicare doesn’t look at the value of your home, household items, one vehicle and up to $1,500 that’s set aside for burial expenses when calculating your resources.

These types of resources are not counted for nine months:

  • Retroactive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
  • Housing assistance payments
  • Tax advances and refunds for earned income and child tax credits
  • Compensation paid to you as a crime victim
  • Relocation assistance received from a state or local government

Similar to income, you can check with Social Security to see what other exclusions may apply.

Who Automatically Qualifies for Medicare Extra Help?

Medicare Extra Help Income Limits

Some people may be eligible to receive Medicare Extra Help, regardless of income. You may qualify for prescription drug help automatically if you:

  • Have full Medicaid coverage
  • Get help from your state Medicaid program paying Medicare Part B premiums
  • Receive Supplemental Security Income benefits

People who qualify for Extra Help automatically receive the same prescription drug benefits as those who qualify based on income.

How to Apply for Medicare Extra Help

To take advantage of Medicare Extra Help benefits you must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription drug program. You could technically apply for Extra Help if you’re not enrolled in Part D coverage yet. But if approved, your benefits wouldn’t kick in until you have prescription drug coverage in place.

You can apply for Extra Help online if you are enrolled in Medicare Part D or Medicare Part B and live in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. There are also financial resource limitations.

You don’t need to fill out the online application if you have Medicare and Medicaid or have Medicare and receive SSI benefits. In that case, you should receive a letter explaining that you’re automatically approved for Medicare Extra Help.

If you’re not able to apply for Extra Help online, you can apply over the phone by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You also have the option to submit a paper application by mail or visit your local Social Security office to apply, though you may need to have an appointment for that.

Here are the documents Social Security suggests collecting before you apply:

  • Social Security card
  • Bank account statements
  • Statements for IRAs and other investment accounts
  • Tax returns
  • Payroll slips
  • Your most recent Social Security benefits award letter or statements for Railroad Retirement benefits, Veterans benefits, pensions and annuities

If you don’t have those documents, you’ll need to give Social Security the best estimate of your income.

Assuming you’re approved for Medicare Extra Help, you’ll be subject to a periodic eligibility review. This review is used to ensure that you’re still eligible for help, based on your income and financial resources.

If you’re denied for Extra Help based on your income or resources, you can file an appeal. There’s a specific Social Security appeal form you’ll need to file out and send in. You can request a hearing by phone to have Social Security reconsider your eligibility.

Bottom Line

Medicare Extra Help Income Limits

Medicare Extra Help can be a valuable addition to your Medicare coverage if you struggle with covering the cost of prescription drugs. Understanding the Medicare Extra Help income limits for 2024 matters if you’re planning to apply for benefits. Just keep in mind that the income limits for eligibility are updated periodically.

Retirement Planning Tips

  • Consider talking to a financial advisor about Medicare enrollment, Extra Help and how to pay for health care costs not covered by Medicare, such as long-term nursing care. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
  • Medicare eligibility begins in the year you turn 65. Once you’re enrolled in Medicare, you have the option to change your coverage each year during the annual open enrollment period. For example, you may decide to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan if you’re already enrolled in Original Medicare or add Part D coverage. Comparing plan costs and coverage can help you decide which Medicare option may work best for you, based on what you need and what you can afford to pay.

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