Medicare Extra Help Program to Expand – Law Office of Sean D. Ethington

Medicare recently announced that seniors and disabled citizens will receive more access to the “Medicare Extra Help Program” beginning January 1, 2024. It is estimated that the expansion of benefits could enable up to 3 million people to reduce their prescription drug costs.
The popular Medicare Extra Help Program provides financial assistance to seniors and people with disabilities who have financial difficulty paying their Medicare Part D premiums. Note that you are automatically eligible for Medicare Extra Help if you:
qualify for Medi-Cal coverage with a $0 Share of Cost obligation, are enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program, or receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
The program was expanded through the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed in August 2022, by increasing the income limit to 150 percent of the poverty level ($21,870 for an individual and $45,000 for a family of four). When the program expands at the beginning of 2024, 300,000 participants will go from partial to full benefits. That means they will not have to pay a premium or deductible, and they will have lower, fixed co-payments on certain medications. These potential benefits are in addition to Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program that provides financial assistance to qualified individuals for Medicare Part A premiums.
The government estimates that nearly 3 million people who could benefit from the program are not currently enrolled. The Department of Health and Human Services has announced it will utilize various government agencies to help spread the news and increase participation. The Administration for Community Living will reach out to under served and rural communities, while the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will provide an outreach toolkit for community organizations and beneficiary advocates.
To apply for Medicare Extra Help, you can visit the Social Security Administration’s website at https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help for more information, support, and an online application.
For more information please contact the Law Office of Sean D. Ethington at 661-295-4604 or visit our website at www.ElderLawSite.com.