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Life change guide
Find free or low-cost health coverage and help paying medical costs through Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help.
Big medical bills can be overwhelming. But you may have free or low-cost ways to pay them.
If you have limited income, you may qualify for help through government programs. These programs can cover doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions and more—sometimes with little or no cost to you.
The programs that can help depend on your age and whether you have Medicare. If you're under 65, you may qualify for Medicaid, which is free or low-cost health coverage. If you're 65 or older and have Medicare, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program to help pay your Medicare costs, or Extra Help with Medicare Part D to help pay for prescriptions.
Applying is free, and only the agency decides if you qualify. Start by checking which programs fit your situation, then apply right away. You can apply at any time of year.
Do you have Medicare? If you're 65 or older, you likely do. If you're under 65 with a disability or end-stage renal disease, you may have it too. Check your mail for a Medicare card or log into your account at Medicare.gov. If you have Medicare, move to the next step. If you don't, skip to step 4.
If you have Medicare and limited income, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. These programs help pay your Medicare premiums and costs. If you're under 65, you also need to check that you have a disability or end-stage renal disease. Income limits are low—for example, $1,350 a month for one person in the QMB program—but some states are more generous. Apply through your state Medicaid agency.
About MSPIf you have Medicare and pay for prescriptions, you may qualify for Extra Help. This program helps pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. If you already qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you automatically qualify for Extra Help. Otherwise, apply separately through the Social Security Administration.
About Extra HelpIf you don't have Medicare, you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage. In most states, adults aged 19–64 qualify with income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. Income limits and who qualifies differ by state. You can apply through HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency.
About MedicaidTo apply, you'll need basic information: your income, household size, citizenship status and Social Security number (if you have one). Apply online through HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency. You can also apply by mail or in person. Applying is free. Tell the agency if your circumstances change.
While waiting to hear about programs, contact your hospital or doctor's billing department. Ask about financial assistance programs, payment plans or bill forgiveness. Many hospitals offer help to people with low income. Get any offers in writing before you agree to anything.
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