How to Assist Your Client with LIS or Extra Help
As an agent, you will come across Medicare beneficiaries that already receive Extra Help or even qualify for Extra Help but are not receiving it. If they’re not receiving it, it’s likely because they haven’t had an agent like yourself to assist them through the process.
To familiarize yourself with the program, Extra Help is a federal program that pays for some to most of the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. It is also known as Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). Extra Help can pay for Part D premium, lower the costs of prescription drugs, let clients switch Part D plans more often, and eliminate Part D late enrollment penalty. This program provides many benefits that those who qualify need and can help protect them from financial ruin.
If you have a client you feel might qualify for extra help, you can help them apply by going to the Social Security Administration, Medicare Part D Extra Help webpage.
Certain individuals automatically qualify for Extra Help if they have Medicare and meet any of these conditions:
- They have full Medicaid coverage,
- They get help from their state Medicaid program paying their Part B premiums (in a Medicare Savings Program)
- Or they get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
Medicare mails these individuals a purple letter to let them know they automatically qualify. They should keep this letter for their records and will not need to apply for Extra Help since they will be automatically enrolled based on these qualifications.
What Documents Does My Client Need for LIS Qualifications?
To qualify for LIS, your client must present documents showing their income. Prepare your clients ahead of time by letting them know what documents they will need to bring with them:
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- IRA or 401(k) account balances
- Pension statements
- Veterans’ benefits
- Annuities
- Railroad Retirement Board benefits
Before they start the process, you’ll also want to inform them of the income limit for the current year. This limit is based on their income from the previous year.
Situation: 2023 Income Limit: Resource Limit:
Individual $21,870 $16,600
Married couple $29,580 $33,240
If your client cannot access the internet, you can direct them to their local Social Security office. Or their State Medicaid office. Click here for the Social Security Office Locator webpage.
Become a Trustworthy Insurance Agent
When you assist your clients with this type of help, it secures you as a trusted insurance agent and will help you secure the referrals you’ll receive by showing you are trustworthy. Helping those in need is fundamental to being a Medicare Certified Agent. And, on top of that, it feels good! Doing good by doing right!
It matters who you work with, so give UIG a call, and we can give you directions on assisting your clients with getting them the Extra Help they qualify for! You can email us at [email protected] or at (800) 878-1058, ext. 1380.
