New York · Medicare and limited income

Pay less for Medicare in New York: the Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help, and EPIC, explained

If you have Medicare and Medicaid, or your income is near the limits, New York has programs that pay the Part B premium, most drug plan costs, and pharmacy copays. This site explains what each one does, who runs it, and how to apply.

Free to use
No plan sales
Not the government

Start: which program should I ask about?Call HIICAP 1-800-701-0501

HIICAP is New York’s free Medicare counseling program. Counselors do not sell plans. Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

The Part B premium, 2026

$202.9 a month. A Medicare Savings Program pays it for people under New York’s income limits. There is no resource test.

Photo: Ajay Suresh, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Start here

Which one sounds like you?

The short version

How the Medicare Savings Programs work in New York

Three things to know before you make any call. The full income table and the application steps are in the guides.

1
Income is the test
In 2026 the limits are $1,836 a month for one person or $2,489 for a couple (QMB), and $2,474 or $3,355 for QI, before a $20 disregard. New York has no resource test for these programs.
2
You apply through HRA or your county
The form is DOH-4328. In New York City it goes to HRA. Elsewhere it goes to your county Department of Social Services. Not to Medicare and not to a plan.
3
Approval changes your check
Once approved, the Part B premium stops coming out of your Social Security check, and Extra Help with drug costs follows automatically.

Read the cost-program overview See the application steps

Help where you live

Your borough, your county name, your nearest free counselor

The programs are the same across New York. The practical parts change by borough: which county goes on the form, where HIICAP counselors sit, and what usually happens after you call.

All boroughs and neighborhoods