Medicare programs for financial help

Medicare Prescription Payment Plan 

Blue Shield of California offers our Medicare members a payment option to help manage out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug costs. This option allows for costs to be spread evenly throughout the year instead of higher costs at the beginning of the year. Your out-of-pocket Part D drug costs will still be the same at the end of the plan year, with or without the program. The only difference is how you pay and the amount you pay each month. It is most beneficial for members who will meet their out-of-pocket maximum ($2100) before the end of the year.

Will this help me?

It depends on your situation. Remember, this payment option might help you manage your monthly expenses, but it doesn’t save you money or lower your drug costs.

There are three ways to enroll.

1. Download a PDF to fill out and mail in.
   English (PDF, 2.6 MB) / Español (PDF, 2.2 MB) / Chinese (PDF, 2.5 MB)
2. Enroll online.
3. Call (833) 696-2087 (TTY: 711) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week

For more information visit Medicare.gov

Or download a factsheet:
English (PDF, 2.3 MB) / Español (PDF, 1.5 MB) / Chinese (PDF, 2.3 MB)

Medicare Savings Programs

If you have limited income and assets, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program to help you pay your Medicare costs. There are four types of Medicare savings programs.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program

The QMB program helps pay for:

• Medicare Part A premiums
• Medicare Part B premiums
• Deductibles, coinsurance, copayments (for services and items Medicare covers)

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program

The SLMB program can help pay for:

• Medicare Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)

Qualifying Individual (QI) Program

The QI program can help pay for:

• Medicare Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)

Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program

The QDWI program can help pay for:

• Medicare Part A premiums only
   

Save on your Medicare Part D drug costs with Extra Help

People with limited income and resources may qualify for the Extra Help program to help pay for their Part D premiums, deductibles, and copayments. If eligible, Medicare could help pay for your drug costs. Also, those who qualify will not be subject to a late-enrollment penalty.

If you get Extra Help from Medicare to help pay for your Medicare prescription drug plan costs, the amount of extra help you get will determine your total monthly plan premium as a member of our plan.

Download the chart to see what your monthly plan premium will be if you get extra help.

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan (MAPD) LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 76 KB)
Español (PDF, 145 KB)

Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 69 KB) 
Español (PDF, 127 KB)

Dual Special Needs Plan (HMO D-SNP) LIS Premium summary chart: English (PDF, 153 KB) 
Español (PDF, 87 KB) / Arabic (PDF, 243 KB) / Armenian (PDF, 215 KB) / Chinese (Simplified) (PDF, 256 KB) / Chinese (Traditional) (PDF, 197 KB) / Farsi (PDF, 242 KB) / Khmer (PDF, 162 KB) / Korean (PDF, 228 KB) / Russian (PDF, 278 KB) / Tagalog (PDF, 135 KB) / Vietnamese (PDF, X KB)

How do I know if I qualify for extra help?

If you believe you qualify for Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) and are paying 100% of your premium, you can contact the resources below for more information:

• 1-800 MEDICARE (1-800 633-4227), 24 hours a day/seven days a week (except some federal holidays). TTY users can call  1-877 486-2048, 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
• The Social Security Office at 1-800 772-1213 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. TTY users can call 1-800 325-0778, or visit https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp.
• Your state Medicaid office 

Get more information