Medicare Savings Programs in California
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying Medicare costs, there are ways to save money on Medicare premiums and other costs, like deductibles and copayments.
The state of California has made it
easier for Californians to apply for help paying Medicare costs. On July 1st, 2022 the asset test to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program increased. These changes apply to the things you own, including bank accounts, cash, second homes and vehicles, and other financial resources. The new limit is $130,000 for one person and an additional $65,000 for each additional family member. More information about the asset limit changes can be found
here.
Californians with an
annual income of less than $19,683 for an individual or $26,622 for a couple are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. These programs provide help from the State of California to pay for your Medicare premiums, and sometimes your deductibles and copayments.
Think you may be eligible?
The application process for Medicare Savings Programs is the same as Medi-Cal. If you are eligible, you can tell your county eligibility office which program you would like to enroll in. Apply for a Medicare Savings Program, and Medi-Cal, in one of the following ways:
- Online at BenefitsCal.org.
- By mail. You can download a Medi-Cal application (also includes Medicare Savings Programs) in many languages here.
- By phone. To apply by phone, call your local county social service office. You can find the phone number to your local county office here.
- In Person. You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs or Medi-Cal coverage in person at your local county social service office. You can find your local county office here, or by calling the Medi-Cal Helpline at (800) 541-5555.
If you only want to apply for a Medicare Savings Program, you may fill out the application (
MC 14A) and mail it to the Medicare Savings Program contact at your local county office. You may also apply by phone with your local county social service office.
For more general information about Medicare Savings Programs, visit
Medicare.gov.
Medicare Savings Programs and What Each Provides
Program
| Gross Income Limits for 2023* (These Amounts Change Annually)
| Benefit
|
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (Must Be Entitled to Medicare Part A)
| Individual
Monthly - $1,235Annually - $14,820
| Individual and Spouse Monthly - $1,663
Annually - $19,956
| Payment of Medicare Part A and Part B Premium, Deductibles and Copayments
|
Specified Low-Income Beneficiary (Must Have Medicare Part A)
| Individual Monthly - $1,478
Annually - $17,736
| Individual and Spouse Monthly - $1,992
Annually - $23,904
| Payment of Medicare Part B Premium
|
Qualifying Individual (Must Have Medicare Part A and cannot also receive Medi-Cal)
| Individual Monthly - $1,660
Annually - $19,920
| Individual and Spouse Monthly - $2,239
Annually - $26,868
| Payment of Medicare Part B Premium
|
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (Lost Medicare Part A Because You Returned to Work and cannot also receive Medi-Cal)
| Individual Monthly - $4,945
Annually - $59,340
| Individual and Spouse Monthly - $6,659
Annually - $79,908
| Payment of Medicare Part A premiums
|
*Income limits above include amounts that will not be counted when deducted in the eligibility determination. If you have income that is over the amounts listed above, you can still apply because there may be more deductions that may be applied.
