Medicare does not look at assets. Medicare is available to folks over the age of 65 who have paid into the system. Part A is free; Part B assesses a monthly premium that has various tiers dependent upon your income. But there is NO asset test.
Medicaid is "means tested", meaning that it is available only to those who meet certain income and asset guidelines.
The eligibility criteria is very much dependent upon what state you live and which program you are applying for. It's probably best if you call the Medicaid office in your state, or talk to your local Area Agency on Aging.
For New Jersey:
DHS Home > Division of Aging Services Home > Get Help Paying Your Medicare Costs Get Help Paying Your Medicare Costs
Low-income beneficiaries can save over $5,000 a year.
Save more than $1,600 annually with a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) Most seniors and individuals with disabilities on Medicare in 2019 will pay $135.50 each month directly out of their Social Security check for their Part B premium. If your annual income in 2019 does not exceed $16,872 (if single) and $22,836 (if married), and your assets, not including your home and car, total no more than $7,730 for a single person or $11,600 for a couple, you can get the State of New Jersey to pay your Part B premium and save at least $1,600 each year on healthcare expenses. Lower income individuals may save even more.
Save an average of $3,900 with a Low Income Subsidy (LIS) The average monthly premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is $37.20. In addition, each time a senior and individual with disabilities on Medicare goes to the pharmacy, they must pay their co-pay and, in the donut hole, about half the cost of their medication. If your annual income in 2019 does not exceed $18,735 for a single person or $25,365 for a couple, and your assets, not including your home and car, total no more than $14,390 for a single person or $28,720 for a couple, you can get the State of New Jersey to pay your Part D premium, lower your co-pay amount and pay only that reduced co-pay amount throughout the year (i.e., you have no donut hole). People on LIS also pay no late enrollment penalty. The average person on LIS saves $3,900 each year in prescription costs. To learn more about and apply for these programs contact your County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). You can also go online and complete an NJ Save application that screens and enrolls eligible individuals in up to 10 different assistance programs including a Low Income Subsidy or Medicare Savings Program.
Medicaid is "means tested", meaning that it is available only to those who meet certain income and asset guidelines.
The eligibility criteria is very much dependent upon what state you live and which program you are applying for. It's probably best if you call the Medicaid office in your state, or talk to your local Area Agency on Aging.
For New Jersey:
DHS Home > Division of Aging Services Home > Get Help Paying Your Medicare Costs
Get Help Paying Your Medicare Costs
Low-income beneficiaries can save over $5,000 a year.
Save more than $1,600 annually with a Medicare Savings Program (MSP)
Most seniors and individuals with disabilities on Medicare in 2019 will pay $135.50 each month directly out of their Social Security check for their Part B premium.
If your annual income in 2019 does not exceed $16,872 (if single) and $22,836 (if married), and your assets, not including your home and car, total no more than $7,730 for a single person or $11,600 for a couple, you can get the State of New Jersey to pay your Part B premium and save at least $1,600 each year on healthcare expenses. Lower income individuals may save even more.
Save an average of $3,900 with a Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
The average monthly premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is $37.20. In addition, each time a senior and individual with disabilities on Medicare goes to the pharmacy, they must pay their co-pay and, in the donut hole, about half the cost of their medication.
If your annual income in 2019 does not exceed $18,735 for a single person or $25,365 for a couple, and your assets, not including your home and car, total no more than $14,390 for a single person or $28,720 for a couple, you can get the State of New Jersey to pay your Part D premium, lower your co-pay amount and pay only that reduced co-pay amount throughout the year (i.e., you have no donut hole). People on LIS also pay no late enrollment penalty. The average person on LIS saves $3,900 each year in prescription costs.
To learn more about and apply for these programs contact your County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). You can also go online and complete an NJ Save application that screens and enrolls eligible individuals in up to 10 different assistance programs including a Low Income Subsidy or Medicare Savings Program.