State Health Insurance Assistance Programs can help you learn more about Medicare plans, including how to enroll in and pay for them.

Figuring out how to enroll in Medicare, how to choose the best plan for you, and how to pay for your premiums can be daunting. But there are resources available that can help.

Whether you want to better understand plans and benefits, enroll in Medicare, or get help paying for Medicare, this article will help you find the resources you need to navigate the process.

Confused by all the Medicare terms and acronyms?

If you’re having trouble keeping track of all the acronyms and terms you encounter as you navigate your Medicare journey, this Healthline article can help.

Some aspects of Medicare are remarkably consistent, which makes them easier to understand. Other parts change every year — and missing deadlines or underestimating costs can lead to unwanted expenses. If you have questions about Medicare, here are some reliable resources to consult.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)

SHIP is a nonprofit network staffed by trained, unbiased volunteers who can guide you through your Medicare options. SHIP counselors and classes can help you find out:

  • which services various Medicare plans cover
  • what the plan options are in your area
  • how and when to enroll in Medicare
  • how you can get help covering costs
  • what your rights are under Medicare

To find out more about your local SHIP office, visit the national website or call 877-839-2675. The website also has a search tool that provides a list of state-by-state SHIP contacts.

The main way to enroll is through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The SSA manages the Medicare online application process. Most people will be able to complete the application in about 10 minutes. You likely won’t need to have any additional documentation on hand when you apply.

If you’re not a fan of online applications, you can apply by phone. Call 800-772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday through Friday. If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, you can use the TTY service at 800-325-0778.

You can also go to your local field office, which you can find using this Social Security office locator. You may be required to wear a mask while in the office if there are high COVID-19 hospital admissions in the area.

You can enroll in Medicare regardless of your income level. Most people don’t pay anything for Medicare Part A (hospital) coverage. For Part B (medical) coverage, most people pay a premium of $185 in 2025. However, this premium could be higher depending on your income.

Who do I contact if I’m paying higher premiums?

In 2025, if your individual income is higher than $106,000, you might pay an income-related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA). If you’ve received an IRMAA notice and you think it’s based on the wrong income figures or if you’ve had a big change in your life since your income was calculated, you can appeal the decision.

Contact the SSA office in your area by using this field office locator or by calling the national SSA toll-free at 800-772-1213. You’ll need to complete this form to report a life changing event.

Where can I get help if my income is lower?

If your income is limited, you might qualify for help paying your premiums and deductibles. Here are some programs that can help you with Medicare costs.

Medicaid

If you’re a Medicare beneficiary with limited income or resources, you might be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is a program operated by both the federal government and state governments. It pays for some benefits that Medicare doesn’t offer.

You can be enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid at the same time, regardless of whether you have an Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) plan or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program

The QMB program is one of four Medicare savings programs created by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Although the HHS started these programs, they are now operated by state governments.

If you meet certain income limits, this program can help you pay for:

  • Part A premiums
  • Part B premiums
  • deductibles
  • coinsurance
  • copayments

If you’re in the QMB program, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are allowed to bill you only a limited amount for prescription medications. They are not allowed to bill you for services and other items covered by Medicare.

The 2025 monthly income limits for the QMB program are:

  • Individual: $1,325
  • Married couple: $1,783

The 2025 resource limits for the QMB program are:

  • Individual: $9,660
  • Married couple: $14,470

If you need help applying for the QMB program, visit this Medicaid site and select your state from the menu.

What counts as a ‘resource’?

These programs define a resource as money you have in your checking or savings account, stocks, bonds, and real estate (other than your home). “Resources” do not include the house you live in, your car, your furniture, or your personal belongings.

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program

This state program can help you get funds to pay your Part B premiums. To qualify, you have to be enrolled in Medicare and meet certain income limits.

The 2025 monthly income limits for the SLMB program are:

  • Individual: $1,585
  • Married couple: $2,135

The 2025 resource limits for the SLMB program are:

  • Individual: $9,660
  • Married couple: $14,470

To apply for the SLMB program, visit this Medicaid site and select your state from the menu.

Qualifying Individual (QI) program

The QI program is administered by your state. It helps Medicare beneficiaries with limited income pay their Part B premiums. To apply for the program, visit this Medicare site and select your state from the menu.

The 2025 monthly income limits for the QI program are:

  • Individual: $1,781
  • Married couple: $2,400

The 2025 resource limits for the QI program are:

  • Individual: $9,660
  • Married couple: $14,470

Qualified Disabled Working Individuals (QDWI) program

This program helps you pay for any Part A premium you owe. To apply for the program, visit this Medicare site and select your state from the menu.

The 2025 monthly income limits for the QDWI program are:

  • Individual: $5,302
  • Married couple: $7,135

The 2025 resource limits for the QDWI program are:

  • Individual: $4,000
  • Married couple: $6,000

Extra Help

If you qualify for the QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you will automatically qualify for the Extra Help program, which helps you pay for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Extra Help automatically renews each year unless your income or resources change. Notices are mailed in September (on gray paper) if there’s been a change in your income or resources and you need to reapply. Notices are mailed in October (on orange paper) if your copayments are changing.

You will not need to complete an application if you have Medicare and you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or if you have both Medicare and Medicaid. In these situations, you will get Extra Help automatically.

Otherwise, if you meet the income limits, you can apply for Extra Help through the SSA website. If you want help filling out the application, you can call Social Security at 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778).

What if I need more help than these programs provide?

Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

If you’re 55 years old or older and you need nursing home care, you may be eligible for the PACE program. This program will let you receive a wide range of services similar to those you’d get in a skilled nursing facility. However, the services are offered through home- and community-based healthcare professionals, and they cost less.

If you have Medicaid, PACE won’t cost you anything. If you have Medicare, you’ll pay a monthly premium for your care and prescriptions. If you don’t have either Medicare or Medicaid, you can still pay privately to participate in the program.

To see whether you live in one of the 33 states that offer PACE plans, you can use this Medicare PACE search tool.

National Council on Aging (NCOA) benefits checkup

The NCOA offers a benefits checkup tool to help you find local help with everything from Medicare costs to transportation and housing.

You’ll just need to answer a few questions to narrow down your location and the type of help you’re looking for, and the NCOA will connect you to a list of programs that can help you. The NCOA database contains more than 2,500 programs that help people across the nation.

If you need to talk with someone about your rights under Medicare or if you want to report a problem with a healthcare professional, here are some options to consider.

Medicare Rights Center

The Medicare Rights Center is a national nonprofit organization that offers counseling, education, and advocacy to Medicare beneficiaries. You can speak with an advocate by calling 800-333-4114 or visiting the website.

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)

If you think your Medicare billing has been incorrect or if you suspect Medicare fraud, you can contact the SMP. It’s a national resource center funded by grants from the Administration for Community Living, which is part of the HHS.

SMP is a good place to go for current information on Medicare-related scams. The national helpline is 877-808-2468. The counselors who staff the helpline can connect you with your state SMP office.

Getting assistance with Medicare can help you find the right plan, enroll on time, and save as much money as possible on Medicare costs.

Working with experts in your state’s SHIP program is a good way to get answers to questions you might have before, during, and after the enrollment process.

Learning more about state and federal Medicare savings programs can help you keep costs down. Knowing who to call if you spot a problem can help you avoid experiencing fraud or abuse.

The SSA can help you apply online, in person, or over the phone, and federal and state programs can help you pay for Medicare costs.