Understanding and Accessing Public Healthcare Programs
Accessing affordable healthcare is important to all residents in the state and seniors are no exception. State and federal programs are in place to assist you.
Medicare and Medicaid
To learn about these two federally funded health programs, please refer to our Healthcare Overview. There you will learn eligibility requirements, program details, and where to apply.
NJ Save
NJSave is an online application to help low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescription costs, and other living expenses. The NJSave application can be completed online or mailed in. For more information, call the Division of Aging Services at 800-792-8820. Read the NJSave flyer in English or Spanish.
By completing this application, individuals apply for a variety of programs including:
- Extra Help: This program provides assistance with Medicare prescription drug plan costs. Check here to find out if you are eligible.
- Medicare Savings Program: Low-income Medicare recipients may be eligible for this program which will cover the cost of Part B premiums. The savings from this program could amount up to $1,800 in one year.
- Low-Income Subsidy Program: This program offers further savings on Medicare Part D premiums and prescription drugs to those who satisfy income eligibility requirements. If eligible, New Jersey pays Part D premiums and enables you to maintain the lower prescription co-pay amounts throughout the year. This program averages annual savings of $5,000.
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program: This program helps pay for Part A premiums, Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for services and items Medicare covers. To find eligibility requirements and income guidelines, click here.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary Program: This program pays Medicare Part B premiums. To find eligibility requirements and income guidelines, click here.
- Qualifying Individual Program: This program pays Medicare Part B premiums. To find eligibility requirements and income guidelines, click here.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Medicare benefits have been expanded to include payment for certain preventive healthcare services provided in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). In addition, FQHCs may waive the deductible normally required under Medicare Part B and may limit the out-of-pocket costs by applying the co-pay responsibility of the Medicare beneficiary to a sliding scale based upon the beneficiary's ability to pay. Under any circumstance, FQHCs do not charge consumers for any service that is paid for through the Medicare program. Find your local FQHC here.
Medicare Rights Center
Further help in understanding Medicare is available through Medicare Interactive (MI), a free, independent, public resource from the Medicare Rights Center. MI offers easy-to-understand information and advice on a full range of Medicare topics.
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
SHIP is a statewide program that provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about, their health insurance.
Counselors, trained in areas of health insurance coverage and benefits that affect Medicare beneficiaries, provide information and assistance for dealing with claims and evaluating health insurance needs. Counseling is free of charge.
To set up your appointment, contact the lead counseling agency in your area, or call your County Office on Aging.