Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs

State-side residents

Medicare offers Extra Help (sometimes called Low Income Subsidy or LIS) to people with low incomes and limited assets. If you qualify, you’ll get help with drug costs that Medicare doesn't cover including your plan premium, drug deductible and prescription copays. Depending on your income and resources, you could save an average of $4,9001 per year.

Less than half of the people eligible for Extra Help sign up. If you think you might qualify, submit an application.

Do I qualify for Extra Help?

To be eligible for help with drug costs, you must:

  • Live in the United States or District of Columbia.²
  • Qualify for Medicare Part A and/or be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
  • Have less than $18,735 in annual income/$14,610 in assets (if single).³
  • Have less than $25,365 in annual income/$29,160 in assets (if married).³ 

On-Island Residents

Virgin Islands State Pharmacy Assistance Programs (SPAP)

U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Citizens Affairs Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

Eligibility Requirements

  • Senior citizens 60 years of age or older.
  • A resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least 6 months.
  • Proof of age, residency, medical status and income are required with the application.
  • Income up to $18,000 for a single person and $30,000 for couples.
  • Program provides: 100% of deductible, co-payment, coverage gap, and premium assistance.

Important Note

Will cover the monthly premium, co-pays and the annual deductible expected to be associated with the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Individuals with Medicare with chronic or catastrophic illness can receive extra financial help in paying the premium, co-pay, deductible and other required out-of-pocket expenses. In order to get the "extra help," you must first enroll into a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

Contact Information

Phone: (340) 774-0930 

Address:

U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Citizens Affairs Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

1303 Hospital Ground Knud Hansen Complex

Building A

St. Thomas, VI 00802

U.S. Virgin Islands Senior Citizens Affairs Pharmaceutical Assistance Program

Best Available Evidence policy

The federal Best Available Evidence (BAE) policy requires that the plan adjust your subsidy if you provide updated information that changes the level of Extra Help you receive. A memo on the CMS website explains the procedures for updating a person's level of Extra Help. 

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