Two ways to help pay for the medicines you need

Prescription drugs can be one of the biggest health expenses for Medicare members. If you’re living on a limited income, two special programs — Extra Help and PACE — are designed to ease the burden of high medication costs, so you can stay focused on your health, not your bills. Here’s what you need to know about each.

What is Extra Help?

Also called the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps cover the costs of your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Depending on your income and assets, you could pay as little as $0 for your plan premium, deductible, or copays. You don’t need to apply every year — once you’re enrolled, you’ll be notified if you need to update anything.

You may qualify if:

• Your monthly income is below $1,956 (or $2,644 for couples)
• Your resources (like savings and investments) are under $17,600 (or $35,130 for couples)

Visit ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help to apply for Extra Help.

Please note: You don’t need to apply separately if you’re already enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a state pharmaceutical assistance program like PACE.

What is PACE?

PACE (Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly) is a Pennsylvania program for residents ages 65 and older that helps with prescription drug costs. PACE can reduce or eliminate the cost of many prescription medications. You don’t need to be enrolled in Medicaid to qualify, and you can use PACE or PACENET along with your Medicare Part D plan.

Pennsylvania residents can learn more about PACE at pa.gov/agencies/aging/aging-programs-and-services/pace-program.

Important information about your Part D out-of-pocket costs

Some payments for prescription drugs made on your behalf by certain other individuals and organizations are included in your out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare has determined that payments made by TRICARE no longer count toward your out-of-pocket costs.

Check your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for more information on individuals and organizations who make payments on your behalf.