Every year, billions of dollars in Medicare benefits go unclaimed — not because people don’t qualify, but because no one told them where to look. If you or someone you love is on Medicare, consider this your starting point.
Your First Stop: BenefitsCheckUp.org
Benefits Check Up is a free, confidential online tool created by the National Council on Aging that matches older adults with benefits programs based on their financial situation and location. You answer a few simple questions and the tool surfaces programs you may qualify for (many with nothing to do with income and everything to do with your circumstances).
The site connects users with nearly 2,000 benefits programs covering food, medicine, utilities, and daily expenses including Medicare Savings Programs, the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, SNAP, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Visit BenefitsCheckUp.org or call 1-800-794-655
The Eldercare Locator: A National Resource Most People Have Never Heard Of
Funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Eldercare Locator connects older adults and people with disabilities with local services — from transportation and housing to benefits eligibility and home-based care. Call 800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, or visit eldercare.acl.gov. If you’re not sure what to ask or where to turn, start here.
Extra Help: The Most Underused Benefit in Medicare
The Extra Help program (also called the Low-Income Subsidy) helps cover Part D prescription drug costs. The Social Security Administration estimates its average annual value at $5,700 per person. In 2026, qualifying beneficiaries pay no more than $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs, with no coverage gap and no deductible. Eligibility is based on income and resources, but the only way to know for certain is to apply. Do that at ssa.gov/extrahelp or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Medicare Savings Programs: Over $8,000 in Annual Value
Medicare Savings Programs are state-administered programs that help cover premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing for people with limited income. Enrollment in an MSP combined with Extra Help is estimated to save individuals at least $8,400 annually. Yet an estimated 40% of eligible people are still not enrolled, largely because they assume they won’t qualify. Apply through your state Medicaid office. Even if you are unsure, apply anyway.
The Bottom Line
The gap between what Medicare recipients are entitled to and what they actually receive is almost always an information gap. These programs are real, funded, and available right now, and most people who qualify have never heard of them. That’s where an independent broker earns their value. We don’t just help you navigate the plans; we help you understand everything Medicare has available to you.
Amie Anderson is an independent insurance broker and Medicare specialist with Fogle Insurance Group, serving clients throughout North Carolina. For a complimentary benefits review, contact [email protected]. (*Source: www.cms.gov)
