Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help: Updates and Expansion in 2024

 

Extra Help Expanding in 2024

As we previously reported, the Extra Help program is expanding in 2024!  Partial Extra Help is going away and everyone who qualifies for Extra Help will get the full Extra Help benefits in 2024.  People who currently have Partial Extra Help do not need to do anything – they will automatically be switched over to full Extra Help starting January 1, 2024. They should receive a letter from Medicare before the end of this year explaining the increased help they will get next year.   

Anyone who has Medicare and gets any help from Medicaid, including payment of the Medicare Part B premium, automatically qualifies for full Extra Help.  People who are not receiving any Medicaid benefit must apply for Extra Help and meet income and resource limits to qualify. The expansion of the Extra Help program increases the income limit to get full Extra Help from 135 percent of the federal poverty level to 150 percent. For reference, in 2023, 150% of the federal poverty levels is $1,823/month for a single person and $2,465/month for a married couple.  Not all income counts toward these limits – see here for more information about the requirements to qualify for Extra Help

Please note that the Extra Help program is also called the “Low-Income Subsidy” or LIS program. People who need help applying for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug costs should contact the PA MEDI program at 1-800-783-7067.   
 

2024 Resource Limits to Qualify for Extra Help 

Starting January 1, 2024, the resource limits for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs (also called the Low-Income Subsidy or “LIS”) will increase. Next year’s limits will be:
 

• Single: $17,010
• Married: $33,950
  
  NOTE: These figures include a $1,500 per person disregard given when applicants mark on the application that they expect to use some of their resources for funeral/burial expenses.
   

Thanks to the expansion of the Extra Help program, this is a substantial increase in the resource limits for full Extra Help compared to this year.  People needing help applying for Extra Help can contact PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067.

 

2024 Resource Limits for the Medicare Savings Program

In mid-November, the federal government announced the 2024 resource limits for the Medicare Savings Programs that help people pay Medicare premiums.  Most people enrolled in these programs get help with their Medicare Part B premium.  Some people also get help with other Medicare cost-sharing, such as deductibles and coinsurance, if they meet certain income limits. In Pennsylvania, the Medicare Savings Programs are also known as the Medicare “buy-in” programs. Starting January 1, 2024, the new resource limits will be $9,430 (single) and $14,130 (married couple). The 2023 resource limits are $9,090 (single) and $13,630 (married).

Readers can find more information about the Medicare Savings Programs here. PHLP will update its resources with 2024 income and resource limits next year after the 2024 Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are announced.  Individuals who need help applying for the Medicare Savings Programs are encouraged to call PA MEDI at 1-800-783-7067.