Medicare members who qualify can get help paying their plan premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs through government programs.
Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income pay Medicare drug coverage (Part D) premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and other costs.
If you’re in a Blue Medicare HMO℠, PPO℠, or Blue Medicare Rx℠ PDP plan, you may pay both a monthly plan premium and a separate Medicare Part B premium. Extra Help can lower your monthly plan premium. The more help you get, the less you pay. Extra Help discounts aren't applied to Part B premiums.
You can apply for Extra Help online at medicare.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778) between 7 AM and 7 PM, Monday through Friday.
But you don't need to go through the process alone. Blue Cross NC partners with My Advocate® from Change Healthcare to provide members personalized support in the application process. An advocate will see if you qualify and then guide you through applying.
To check your eligibility, My Advocate will ask for financial information. It’s only shared with government agencies when required and Blue Cross NC doesn't receive your data.
To connect with My Advocate for assistance applying for Extra Help, call 866-244-6990 (TTY 711).
Find your Medicare Advantage plan to learn what your monthly plan premium will be if you qualify for assistance.
You can find the name of your plan on your member ID card.
| 2026 Blue Medicare℠ Plan | Monthly premium with 100% Extra Help |
|---|---|
| PPO Enhanced (H3404-003-001) | $6.00 |
| PPO Enhanced (H3404-003-002) | $22.60 |
| Essential Plus (HMO-POS) (H3449-023-001) | $0.00 |
| Essential Plus (HMO-POS) (H3449-023-002) | $0.00 |
| Essential Plus (HMO-POS) (H3449-023-004) | $0.00 |
| Essential Plus (HMO-POS) (H3449-023-005) | $0.00 |
| Enhanced (HMO-POS) (H3449-024-001) | $19.60 |
| Enhanced (HMO-POS) (H3449-024-002) | $29.60 |
| Enhanced (HMO-POS) (H3449-024-003) | $36.60 |
| Choice (HMO) (H3449-026-000) | $0.00 |
| Essential (HMO) (H3449-027-001) | $0.00 |
| Essential (HMO) (H3449-027-002) | $0.00 |
| Healthy Blue + Medicare℠ (HMO-POS D-SNP) (H9147-001-000) | $0.00 |
| Rx Standard (PDP) (S5540-002-000) | $47.70 |
| Rx Enhanced (PDP) (S5540-004-000) | $127.00 |
In addition to Extra Help, Medicare offers Medicare Savings Programs that can help cover your costs. These programs can pay your Part A and Part B premiums. They may also cover your deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Your state determines which of the four programs you qualify for. The programs approved by North Carolina are:
| Savings Program | Helps pay for: |
|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program | Part A premiums and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for services and items Medicare covers |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program | Part B premiums if you have both Part A and Part B |
| Qualifying Individual Program | Part B premiums if you have both Part A and Part B |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individual Program | Part A premiums |
You can apply for Medicare Savings Programs by calling the North Carolina Medicaid office Monday through Friday, from 8 AM to 5 PM at 888-245-0179 (TTY 711).
Dual Enrollment Advocate™ helps you apply for these programs. With the support program, you can get a personal screening for Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid. If you qualify, an advocate will provide support throughout the application process.
For assistance with Medicare Savings Program and Dual Enrollment, call 888-282-0773 (TTY 711).
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities. Learn more about our non-discrimination policy and no-cost services available to you.
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