Missouri
Medicare help in Missouri
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the Missouri rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
Missouri SHIP
Missouri SHIP is Missouri'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 Missouri
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
MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) runs Missouri'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.
Missouri uses the federal income limits. Missouri calls QI "SLMB2".
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.
Missouri drug assistance program
Missouri Rx (MORx)
Who qualifies: People who have both Medicare and MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid). You're enrolled automatically.
What it pays: Half of what you pay out of pocket for drugs your Part D plan covers. It doesn't pay premiums.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, Missouri's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in Missouri
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses insurance agents in Missouri. 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 Missouri
Switching plans later
Missouri gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: A yearly window tied to your policy's anniversary date.
If you're under 65
Insurers in Missouri must offer Medigap to some people under 65 with Medicare: people with disabilities. Plans and prices can be limited. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the Missouri Department of Commerce and 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 Missouri
Where can I get free Medicare help in Missouri?
Missouri SHIP is Missouri's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-800-390-3330.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in Missouri?
The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-800-726-7390.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in Missouri?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) (573-751-3425). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. Missouri uses the federal income limits. Missouri's free SHIP counselors (1-800-390-3330) can help you apply.
Does Missouri help pay for prescriptions?
Missouri has a state drug assistance program: Missouri Rx (MORx). Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, also lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income.
Does Missouri have a Medigap birthday rule?
Missouri gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: A yearly window tied to your policy's anniversary date.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in Missouri?
Insurers in Missouri must offer Medigap to some people under 65 with Medicare: people with disabilities. Plans and prices can be limited.
State contacts checked against official Missouri sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.