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IDOI > Medicare & SHIP > Help Paying for your Medicare Costs Help Paying for your Medicare Costs

About the Medicare Savings Program 

Indiana helps eligible, low-income beneficiaries pay for Medicare with the Medicaid program.
Medicaid is a health care program that helps pay for medical services for people who meet specific requirements.

You may be eligible depending on your income and the value of things you own (Effective April 2007):

  • Do you have Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance? (Look at your Medicare card.)
  • Is your monthly income at or below $1,149 (single person) or $1,541 (married couple)?
  • Are your financial assets, such as bank accounts, below $4,000 (single person) or $6,000 (married couple)?
Monthly Income Limits Individuals Couples
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
not more than

$851 $1,141
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary or Qualified Individual
not more than		 $1,149 $1,541

If you have Medicare Part B, your 2007 premium of $93.50 ($96.40 in 2008) is taken out of your Social Security check each month. Add this amount to your Social Security check to see if your current income is within these limits.

Asset Limits Individuals Couples
All Levels $4,000 $6,000

Assets are things you own, such as checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, cash value of life insurance, stocks and bonds.  Some things you own don't count toward your asset limit, such as your home and furnishings, your car, pre-paid funeral trusts and income-producing real estate.

These limits are guidelines. The only way to know for sure if you are eligible is to apply.

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Application Information

You may visit or call your local Office of Family and Children to apply for Medicare Buy-In.  You will need to complete an application form and participate in an interview.  The interview can take place in person or over the telephone.  Within 45 days, you will receive a notice in the mail that tells you whether your application was approved.

For more information about enrollment centers or Medicaid call:

  • Your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 1-800-986-3505
  • SHIP at 1-800-452-4800

If your application is denied, you have the right to appeal within 30 days of the denial.  You may contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Senior Law Project for assistance with appeals.

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Local Agency Contacts

View a complete list of agency contacts.

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Prescription Drug Plan Options

There are a variety of prescription drug plans to choose from.  These plans include:

  • Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
  • Hoosier Rx
  • Low Cost Drugs 
  • Finding Help with Prescriptions Guide 
  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Free Medications Directory

View the 2008 Standard Part D Benefit

View the 2008 Stand-Alone Part D Drug Plans

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

People with Medicare can enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan and receive extra help paying for the premiums, deductibles, gaps in coverage and co-pays.

View the eligibility and enrollment chart.

Hoosier Rx

Hoosier Rx is Indiana's prescription drug plan for low-income seniors. If you are an Indiana resident, age 65 or over, receive a low monthly income, and are without insurance that has a prescription drug benefit, you may qualify.

HoosierRx does not consider your assets; it only considers your income. So if your yearly net income is $15,555 or less for an individual or $20,775 or less for a couple, you could receive help paying for your Medicare prescription drugs.

To apply call free of charge 1-866-267-4679.

Apply online at the Hoosier Rx website.

Low Cost Drugs

Several national pharmacies have announced they are drastically reducing the cost of generic prescription drugs. Meijer boasts no cost for generic antibiotics. Target, Wal-Mart and Sam's Club charge $4 for generic drugs, but the list includes more than antibiotics.

For a complete listing of what each pharmacy offers, log onto their respective Web sites

Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Free Medications Directory

Many pharmaceutical companies have programs which provide free or low cost medications to those in need regardless of age.

Most of these programs require that you:

  • Do not have insurance that covers outpatient prescription drugs
  • Do not qualify for government assistance
  • Have  income within their stated guidelines

The application process is different for each company. Usually a doctor must sign your completed application form and have his/her office submit it for you. Rx for Indiana can provide assistance with matching your prescriptions with these assistance programs. Contact Rx for Indiana at 1-877-483-9275.

Visit the Rx for Indiana website.

Trained SHIP counselors at sites throughout Indiana can also guide you in getting and completing applications from drug companies.   

View a list of local SHIP sites

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Finding Help with Prescriptions Guide 2007

"Finding Help with Prescriptions" Guide 2007 is a free publication. It provides helpful information for lowering your prescription costs including low-income assistance, patient assistance programs, mail order prescription services, veterans pharmacy benefits, and Community Health Centers.

To request a copy, call SHIP free of charge 1-800-452-4800.   To request a copy online and request a copy click here.