Issue Brief 11: Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy Program

The Low-Income Subsidy program shields economically vulnerable and disabled beneficiaries from high out-of-pocket drug costs by helping them pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles and co-payments for prescription medications obtained through Medicare prescription drug programs.

This Issue Brief describes the Low-Income Subsidy program, how it helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities, and what more can be done to ensure that out-of-pocket drug costs do not prevent these beneficiaries from getting the treatment they need.