If your income and savings are limited, you may get help paying for Medicare.
- Medicare Savings Programs are run by your state. They can help pay your Part B premium, and some also help with Part A costs, deductibles and copays. If you qualify, the Part B late penalty is usually waived. Apply through your state Medicaid office.
- Extra Help lowers what you pay for Part D premiums, deductibles and drugs. It's for people with income up to 150% of the federal poverty level and limited resources. People with Extra Help don't pay the Part D late penalty. You can apply at SSA.gov/extrahelp. If you get Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically.
- Medicaid: Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. Your state Medicaid office can tell you if you do.
You can get free, unbiased Medicare counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Find yours at shiphelp.org.
More Medicare topics
When to sign up
Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, when Medicare coverage starts, automatic enrollment and premium-free vs paid Part A.
Read more
Ending your Marketplace plan
Step-by-step: end your Marketplace (Obamacare) plan the day before Medicare starts, and what happens to your premium tax credit.
Read more
Part B and late penalties
Why a Marketplace plan doesn’t let you delay Part B, how the Part B late penalty works, and 2026 Part B costs.
Read more
Your Medicare choices
Compare Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D against Medicare Advantage (Part C), and when you can make changes later.
Read more
Medicare and Marketplace rules can change. Check Medicare.gov, SSA.gov or HealthCare.gov for the latest rules.
ObamaCare-Enroll.org is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.