If your income seems above Medicare Savings Program (MSP) income and asset guidelines in your state, you should still apply. You may qualify for an MSP because certain income and assets may not be counted when determining your eligibility.
Note: How your income and assets are counted to determine eligibility varies from state to state. Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to find out if you are eligible for an MSP in your state.
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Get Help Applying for Medicare Cost-Savings Programs
If you live in New York, the Medicare Rights Center can help you enroll in various Medicare cost-savings programs. Please answer a few questions to see if we can connect you with a trained benefits enrollment counselor.
Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Each state offers a SHIP, partly funded by the federal government, to give you free counseling and assistance. A SHIP counselor may be available by phone or in person.
Visit www.shiptacenter.org to find your local SHIP office.
Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program
Based on the information you provided, you do not appear to be eligible for Medicare cost-saving programs.
Each state offers a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), partly funded by the federal government, to give you free counseling and assistance. A SHIP counselor may be available by phone or in person.
Visit www.shiptacenter.org to find your local SHIP office.
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A trained counselor from the Medicare Rights Center will be in touch soon to discuss your options.
Click here to learn more about the various Medicare cost-savings programs.
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In all states, the following income is not counted:
- The first $20 of all income
- The first $65 of your monthly wages
- Half of your monthly wages (after the $65 is deducted)
- Food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) support)
In addition to the above, some states may disregard or exclude other income, such as the cost of certain health insurance premiums (like Part D premiums). Also, in some states the eligibility limits may be higher if there are more than two people in your household.
In all states, the following assets are not counted:
- Your primary house
- One car
- Household goods and wedding/engagement rings
- Burial spaces
- Burials funds up to $1,500 per person
- Life insurance with a cash value of less than $1,500
Many states do not count other types of assets. In addition, some states have no asset test. Call your SHIP to learn more.