Medicare Help in Las Vegas
​and The State of Nevada

Information from Federal and State Agencies
​The Medicare Savings Programs and Medicare Part D "Extra Help"

Getting help with Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs
in Las Vegas and Nevada

Resources and Programs for Las Vegas Residents with Medicare

Medicare provides important health care coverage. But there are out-of-pocket (OOP) costs to consider. While most people won’t pay a premium for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance); Part B (Doctor Visits) does have a monthly premium.
There are other OOP costs as well, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
So what do you do if you’re barely making ends meet?
Can you get help paying your Medicare Out of pocket costs?
The answer is yes.

SAVING MONEY ON ​HEALTHCARE COSTS

(CLICK ON THE PICTURE ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM MEDICARE)

​FOUR PROGRAMS THAT CAN HELP YOU PAY YOUR
​MEDICAL COSTS

MEDICAID

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps cover medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid offers benefits not normally covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services. The rules around who’s eligible for Medicaid are different in each state.

What Medicaid helps pay for:

  • If you have Medicare and qualify for full Medicaid coverage:
  • Your state will pay your 
  • Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) monthly premiums
  • Depending on the level of Medicaid you qualify for, your state might pay for:
  • Your Share of Medicare costs like deductibles,co-insurance, and copays 
  • Part A premiums, if you have to pay a premium for that coverage
  • You'll automatically get Extra Help with your drug costs. Learn more about Extra Help

Where can I apply for Medicaid in Nevada?

​The Medicaid program is administered by the Nevada Department of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS).
​
Seniors and people with disabilities can apply for Medicaid using this website or by calling (800) 992-0900.

​Medicare Savings Programs in Las Vegas

If you have limited income and assets you may qualify for one of the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)
These Programs can help cover your Medicare OOP costs.
Medicare Savings Programs are special benefit programs sponsored by state Medicaid agencies. Also referred to as Medicare Buy-In Programs or Medicare Premium Payment Programs, they are designed to relieve some out-of-pocket Medicare expenses for people in need.
There are four different MSPs. Depending on which one you qualify for they can help you pay for your Medicare premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayments for covered services:
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM APPLICATION
Get the Medicare Savings Program Application 
If you think you might be able to get help from your state with Medicare costs, or if you are not sure, call your state medical assistance (Medicaid) office or call 1-800-MEDICARE ( 1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Reminder:
Below Each Resource named is a LINK.
By clicking on the link you will leave our website and be taken to another location /or website that describes the service.

Help with Drugs Costs in Las Vegas
How to Get "Extra Help"
Paying for Prescriptions
What is Extra Help?
"Extra Help " is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare (Part D) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and other costs.  It is also known as the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS).

"Extra Help " is a Medicare program to help people with limited income and resorces pay Medicare (Part D) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and other costs.  It is also known as the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS).

If you qualify for "Extra Help" you will not have to pay a Part D Late Enrollment Penalty while you get "Extra Help."
Some People qualify for "Extra Help" automatically , and other people need to apply.

Extra Help eligibility

  1. The 2024 income limits for Medicare's Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help) program are $22,590 per year for an individual and $30,660 per year for a married couple. This is equivalent to $1,882.50 per month for an individual and $2,555 per month for a couple. The asset limit is $17,220 for an individual and $34,360 for a couple. Assets include stocks, bonds, and money in checking, savings, or retirement accounts. These limits do not include a $20 income disregard that the Social Security Administration (SSA) automatically subtracts from your monthly unearned income (e.g., retirement income).
  2. If you are enrolled in Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), you automatically qualify for Extra Help regardless of whether you meet Extra Help’s eligibility requirements. You should receive a purple-colored notice from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) informing you that you do not need to apply for Extra Help.

Extra Help benefits
The Extra Help program (also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) offers the following benefits:

  • Pays for your Part D premium up to a state-specific benchmark amount
  • Lowers the cost of your Prescription Drugs
  • Gives you a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) once per calendar quarter during the first nine months of the year to enroll in a Part D plan or to switch between plans (You cannot use the Extra Help SEP during the fourth calendar quarter of the year (October through December). You should use Fall Open Enrollment during this time to make prescription drug coverage changes.)
  • Eliminates any Part D late enrollment penalty you may have incurred if you delayed Part D enrollment
​
Depending on your income and assets, you may qualify for Extra Help. To receive such assistance, your prescriptions should be on your plan’s formulary and you should use pharmacies in your plan’s network.
Remember that Extra Help is not a replacement for Part D or a plan on its own: You must still have a Part D plan to receive Medicare prescription drug coverage and Extra Help assistance. If you do not choose a plan, you will in most cases be automatically enrolled in one.

Making an Extra Help decision when you have other forms of prescription drug coverage

If you are eligible for Extra Help and already have other creditable drug coverage, you should evaluate your costs and coverage when deciding whether to enroll in Part D and Extra Help or to keep your current drug coverage. Be sure to ask your former employer or union if you can get a Part D plan without losing the retiree benefits you want to keep, and check if disenrolling from retiree drug coverage makes you ineligible for other retiree health benefits. If you cannot have Part D and your retiree benefits, or if keeping both is not cost-effective, think carefully about whether you should get a Part D plan, especially if your retiree plan also covers your spouse or dependents. If you later want Part D, you will have a two-month SEP after you lose creditable coverage.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Before January 1, 2024, individuals eligible for Extra Help may receive full or partial help. Starting January 1, 2024, all Extra Help beneficiaries will receive full subsidy. Partial subsidy eligibility determination can only be made on Extra Help cases that will have an award with a coverage start date before January 1, 2024. ​
​How much is the "Extra Help" program
​worth in 2024?
The "Extra Help Program" in 2024 is estimated to be worth about $5,900.00 per year according to Social Security. Many people are eligible for these big savings and don't know it. To find out, Social Security will need to know the value of your savings, investments, real estate (other than your home), and your income. They will need this information about you and/or your spouse if you are married and living together.

​To help determine if you are eligible for Extra Help, you will need to complete an Application (Form SSA-1020). Just click on the Button below...labeled "Apply for Extra Help".

Understanding "Extra Help"
Information directly from Social Security
​2024 Booklet
Just click on the picture below on it to access all the info..​

2024 Extra Help Program Limits Chart 

If you don’t automatically get Extra Help, you can apply for it.
​Make sure you are receiving all the benefits you deserve, Just check or call:
Or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. You can also contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to get free help applying.

​State of Nevada Aging and ​Disability Services Division

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) in the State of Nevada, Department of Health and Human Services, represents Nevada's elders, children and adults with disabilities or special health care needs.

​State of Nevada Office of Consumer Health Assistance

Nevada Care Connection

How Nevadans Find care and Support Services

Medicare and You 2024/2025

Information provided from the following sources:
GETTING YOUR MEDICARE QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Do you have questions about your Medicare coverage?
​Call Medicare Directly 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
​TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
See below for more information that Medicare can help you with