The Low-Earnings Subsidy, referred to as LIS or “Further Assist ” is a program administered by the Social Safety Administration (SSA) that gives monetary help with Medicare Half D prescription drug prices together with premiums and co-pays.
Annually in September, some people with the LIS will obtain notices from Medicare informing them that their LIS is ending on the finish of the 12 months and that they might want to reenroll with SSA to proceed to obtain monetary help with their Medicare drug prices.
These notices are particular to people who have been deemed eligible for LIS as a result of they have been eligible for Medicaid or a Medicare Financial savings Program (MSP). When these people lose their Medicaid or MSP eligibility—as occurred at excessive charges in 2023 and 2024 because of the Medicaid unwinding—additionally they lose their LIS eligibility. Due to the best way LIS works, an individual sometimes loses LIS many months after they lose Medicaid or MSP.
People who obtain notices this month are those that misplaced Medicaid protection between July 1, 2023 and, June 30, 2024. They are going to stay LIS eligible by way of December 31, 2024, however will lose protection beginning January 1, 2025, until they reapply for LIS by way of the Social Safety Administration or reestablish Medicaid eligibility. The monetary eligibility standards for LIS are broader than these for Medicaid. Accordingly, even when somebody is now not eligible for Medicaid, they could nonetheless qualify for LIS.
Subsequently, this can be very vital for people who obtain a discover from Medicare about their LIS ending to reapply for LIS protection as quickly as potential to make sure they proceed to obtain help with Half D drug prices in 2025. People not eligible for LIS might need to take into account selecting a distinct Half D plan that’s extra inexpensive.
For extra data on LIS and Medicaid unwinding, learn the up to date Justice in Ageing reality sheet.
