Massachusetts
Medicare help in Massachusetts
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the Massachusetts rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
SHINE
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is Massachusetts'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 Massachusetts
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
MassHealth, Massachusetts's Medicaid program, runs Massachusetts'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.
Massachusetts allows more income than the federal minimum: up to 190% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), and up to 225% for help with the Part B premium (SLMB and QI). The limits change each March 1. Massachusetts doesn't count your savings or other assets for these programs. Massachusetts used to call these programs MassHealth Buy-In.
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.
Massachusetts drug assistance program
Prescription Advantage
Who qualifies: Massachusetts residents. The program stopped accepting new applications after September 11, 2026; current members keep their coverage.
What it pays: Help with drug costs on top of Part D or other drug coverage.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, Massachusetts's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with MassHealth before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance licenses insurance agents in Massachusetts. 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 Massachusetts
Switching plans later
Massachusetts gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: Year-round open enrollment.
If you're under 65
Insurers in Massachusetts must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare, except people with ESRD. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the Massachusetts Division 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 Massachusetts
Where can I get free Medicare help in Massachusetts?
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) is Massachusetts's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-243-4636.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Division of Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-877-563-4467.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in Massachusetts?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through MassHealth (1-800-841-2900). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. Massachusetts allows more income than the federal minimum: up to 190% of the federal poverty level for full help (QMB), and up to 225% for help with the Part B premium (SLMB and QI). The limits change each March 1. Massachusetts doesn't count your savings or other assets for these programs. Massachusetts's free SHIP counselors (1-800-243-4636) can help you apply.
Does Massachusetts help pay for prescriptions?
Massachusetts has a state drug assistance program: Prescription Advantage. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does Massachusetts have a Medigap birthday rule?
Massachusetts gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: Year-round open enrollment.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in Massachusetts?
Insurers in Massachusetts must offer Medigap to people under 65 who have Medicare, except people with ESRD. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official Massachusetts sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.