West Virginia
Medicare help in West Virginia
Free, unbiased counseling, help paying premiums and drug costs, how to check an agent before you talk to one, and the West Virginia rules that affect your Medigap choices.
Free counseling
WV SHIP
West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (WV SHIP) is West Virginia'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 West Virginia
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
West Virginia Medicaid runs West Virginia'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.
West Virginia uses the federal income limits. West Virginia calls these programs Medicare Premium Assistance Programs.
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.
West Virginia drug assistance program
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in West Virginia. Start with Extra Help; West Virginia's free SHIP counselors can help you apply.
Sources: Medicaid.gov state contacts, West Virginia's own Medicaid pages and Medicare.gov's state program list, checked October 27, 2026. Limits change every year; confirm with West Virginia Medicaid before you apply. How Extra Help and savings programs work.
Check an agent's license in West Virginia
The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner licenses insurance agents in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia
Switching plans later
West Virginia gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch without health questions: From June 2026: 60 days starting the first of your birth month, every two years, generally within your current company.
If you're under 65
West Virginia doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get your own Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65. More on Medigap under 65.
Source: NAIC state Medigap chart, May 11, 2026. Confirm with the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner 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 West Virginia
Where can I get free Medicare help in West Virginia?
West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (WV SHIP) is West Virginia's State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Its counselors help with Medicare questions for free and don't sell insurance. Call 1-877-987-4463.
How do I check a Medicare agent's license in West Virginia?
The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner licenses insurance agents. Use its license lookup to search by the agent's name or National Producer Number (NPN), or call 1-888-879-9842.
How do I get help paying Medicare premiums in West Virginia?
Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through West Virginia Medicaid (1-877-716-1212). These programs pay your Part B premium, and sometimes your deductibles and copays. West Virginia uses the federal income limits. West Virginia's free SHIP counselors (1-877-987-4463) can help you apply.
Does West Virginia help pay for prescriptions?
Medicare.gov lists no general state drug assistance program for people with Medicare in West Virginia. Extra Help, a federal program run by Social Security, lowers Part D premiums and copays for people with limited income, and West Virginia's free SHIP counselors (1-877-987-4463) can check whether you qualify.
Does West Virginia have a Medigap birthday rule?
West Virginia gives people who already have Medigap a way to switch plans without health questions: From June 2026: 60 days starting the first of your birth month, every two years, generally within your current company.
Can I buy Medigap under 65 in West Virginia?
West Virginia doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to people under 65, though some may. You get a full Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65.
State contacts checked against official West Virginia sites on October 26, 2026. General information, not advice about a specific plan. How we check facts.