Delaware
Medicare help in Delaware
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the Delaware rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
DMAB
Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) is Delaware's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Trained counselors answer Medicare questions, compare plans with you and help you apply for savings programs, at no cost. They don't sell insurance.
Help paying for Medicare in Delaware
If your income and savings are limited, these programs can lower your premiums and drug costs. Many people who qualify never apply.
Medicare Savings Programs
Delaware Medicaid runs Delaware's Medicare Savings Programs. They pay your Part B premium, and the fullest one (QMB) also pays Part A premiums, deductibles and copays. You don't need to qualify for full Medicaid.
The 2026 federal minimum limits: income up to $1,350 a month single or $1,824 married for full help (QMB), or up to $1,816 single or $2,455 married for help with the Part B premium, and savings up to $9,950 single or $14,910 married. Your home and one car don't count. States can be more generous.
Delaware uses the federal income limits. For full help (QMB), Delaware doesn't count your assets.
Extra Help with drug costs
Extra Help is a federal program, run by Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 you may qualify with income up to $23,940 a year single or $32,460 married, and resources up to $18,090 single or $36,100 married. If you get a Medicare Savings Program, Medicaid or SSI, you get Extra Help automatically. Apply with Social Security.
Delaware drug assistance program
Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP)
Who qualifies: Delaware residents 65 or older, or younger and getting Social Security disability, with income up to 200% of the federal poverty level or drug costs above 40% of their income.
What it pays: Up to $3,000 a year toward prescriptions and Part D premiums. You pay 25% of each prescription, at least $5.
Call 1-844-245-9580
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, Delaware's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with Delaware Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in Delaware
The Delaware Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents in Delaware. Before you share personal information, look the agent up by name or National Producer Number (NPN) and make sure their license is active and includes health insurance.
Medigap rules in Delaware
Switching plans later
Delaware gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: Starts 30 days before your birthday and lasts at least 30 days after (from 2026). Same or lesser benefits.
If you're under 65
Insurers in Delaware must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the Delaware Department of Insurance before changing coverage.
Dates that apply everywhere
- October 15 to December 7: Open Enrollment, when you can change Medicare Advantage and drug plans. All enrollment periods
- January 1 to March 31: people in Medicare Advantage can switch plans or go back to Original Medicare once.
- Around your 65th birthday: your 7-month window to sign up. Turning 65
Common questions in Delaware
Where can I get free Medicare help in Delaware?
Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) is Delaware's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-336-9500.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in Delaware?
The Delaware Department of Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 302-674-7310.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in Delaware?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Delaware Medicaid (1-866-843-7212). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. Delaware uses the federal income limits. For full help (QMB), Delaware doesn't count your assets. Delaware's free SHIP counselors (1-800-336-9500) can help you apply.
Does Delaware help pay for prescriptions?
Delaware has a state drug assistance program: Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP). Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does Delaware have a Medigap birthday rule?
Delaware gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: Starts 30 days before your birthday and lasts at least 30 days after (from 2026). Same or lesser benefits.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in Delaware?
Insurers in Delaware must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official Delaware sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.