20% of Medicare recipients are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help Rx program. We advise you to apply prior to annual enrollment for this assistance. If eligible for some assistance, you must apply to receive it.
What are Medicare Savings Programs or Extra Help Rx programs?
These programs are for disabled persons or lower income individuals and couples. Programs may cover part B premiums, copays and coinsurance for care, and prescription drug costs. The current income limits listed below can give you a guideline to suggest whether you might be eligible, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare posts these limits on their website:
Medicaid Program Limits
How to Apply for Assistance?
Full Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs are administered by the state, and you can apply by calling 877-456-1233 or applying at idalink.idaho.gov. The Extra Help program is administered by Social Security directly and you can apply online through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website, by calling SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local Social Security office.
There are resource limits as well, which can include money in accounts, extra properties, cars, homes, etc. Resource limits vary in the other programs options such as Long Term Care or Disabled and Working. Enrolling in a full Medicaid program does subject a person to Estate Recovery, while enrolling in a Medicare Savings ONLY program does not. For more information about estate recovery, you can find more information about this at this link: https://publicdocuments.dhw.idaho.gov/