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Is Medicare Free for Seniors, the Disabled and Retirees?

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You may be eligible to get Medicare at no additional cost.

A frequent question we get here at MedicareWire is, “Is Medicare free?”

It isn’t free. It never has been, and never will be. However, depending on your personal situation, you can get assistance paying for your monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays. As a result, may be close to free, but only if you qualify.

In this article, I’ll do my best to dispel myths and help you get your Medicare benefits for FREE if you qualify.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare isn’t free.
  • Most of us pay into the Medicare program during the years we, or our spouse, worked.
  • Certain circumstances allow individuals to qualify for government assistance that helps pay monthly premiums, co-pays, coinsurance, and prescription costs.
  • Millions of Americans qualify for Medicare assistance but never apply. It is not automatic.

How to Get Medicare for Free

Here are the basic steps to get additional help: 

  1. Qualify by checking your household income.
  2. Visit the Social Security Administration to get “Extra Help”.
  3. Visit Medicaid to get your QMB, SLMB, or QI benefits.
  4. It doesn’t matter if you are retired or disabled. It works the same way.

Yes, Medicare is Virtually FREE for Over 12 Million People. Do You Qualify?

In this frequently asked question, I’m going to share with you the quickest and easiest way to help yourself, put some money back in your paycheck, and get Medicare for FREE (if you qualify).

Yes, free.

This may or may not work for you. It all depends on your situation. Regardless, please read this, and share it with your family and friends on social media and email, because even if it does not help you, it will help people you know. And that’s a fact.

Answer These Simple Questions

  • Are you single? Is your monthly income less than $1,060 per month?
  • Are you married? Is your combined income less than $1,430 per month?

If you fall into one of the income categories above, all it takes is one more “yes” answer to get Medicare for free.

It comes down to the value of your assets. If you’re single, and your assets (i.e., money in the bank, stocks, bonds, or real estate other than your primary residence, etc.) are less than $7,730, you’re in! If you’re married and your assets are at or below $11,600, you’re in.

If you meet this simple test, the government will pay your Medicare Part B premium (worth $164.90 per month) under the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program.

Note: Alaska and Hawaii are slightly different.

What Do I Get for Free?

There are three programs for people with low incomes, collectively known as the Medicare Savings Programs. They include:

  • Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program,
  • Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program, and
  • Qualifying Individual (QI) program.

If you qualify, the QMB program pays your premium, Part B deductibles, and co-insurance. The SLMB and QI programs pay your monthly Part B premium only.

Your Medicare Part B is just the start. Here’s the full range of coverage:

  • Part A: Pays for hospitalization costs. Your Part A premium is already covered (if you worked 40 quarters or you’re disabled). QMB then covers the 20% co-insurance that Medicare does not pay.
  • Part B: Pays for physician services, lab and x-ray services, durable medical equipment, and outpatient and other services. QMB covers nearly all of your Part B costs.
  • Part C: Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) offered by private companies approved by Medicare. In many areas, you can join a QMB approved plan.
  • Part D: Assists with the cost of prescription drugs. If your income and assets meet the tests above, you qualify for the Medicare Part D “Extra Help” program. It covers all or part of your Part D premiums, deductibles, and co-pays at the pharmacy. And, it offers coverage through the doughnut hole coverage gap.

If you’re familiar with state Medicaid rules, and you’re concerned about the state requirements, you can relax. The Medicare Savings Programs are exempt from estate recovery.

You Won’t Get Rich… BUT, What a Savings!

Obviously, these programs won’t add a heap of cashback into your bank account, but they will help. Particularly when you have unexpected medicare bills. So, if you qualify, take action. Here’s what you do:

  1. Go to the Social Security website at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp and apply for “extra help.” This should be your first step because it’s the easiest.
  2. To become a dual-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Medi), contact your state Medicaid office or visit their website (see below).
  3. Do the happy dance, because you just scored. What a relief!

That’s it. Really, that’s all there is to it, so don’t be intimidated by or get hung up about the government bureaucracy.  You’ll be asked to provide documentation, but who cares? We’re talking about access to healthcare without worries.

State Medicaid Offices