Costs & IRMAA
New Research Finds New York's Medicare Premium Assistance Expansion Is Reaching More Low-Income Beneficiaries, Offering a Model for Other States
A Medicare Rights Center analysis published August 13 concludes that New York's 2023 decision to broaden Medicare Savings Program eligibility has improved uptake among people transitioning from Medicaid, with estimated combined annual savings of 8,000 dollars for qualifying enrollees.
By the Goodsurance editorial teamAugust 20, 2026
New research from the Medicare Rights Center, published August 13, 2026, concludes that New York's 2023 expansion of its Medicare Savings Program has measurably improved enrollment among beneficiaries who move from Medicaid into Medicare, a transition that often leaves lower-income people without financial assistance.
In 2023, New York raised its Medicare Savings Program income eligibility limits beyond the federal minimums, opening the program to nearly 300,000 additional residents. The state had already eliminated its asset test in 2008, removing a barrier that disqualifies many low-income applicants in most other states.
New York expanded Medicare premium help in 2023. New research says it is working and can save qualifying enrollees 8,000 dollars a year.
The Medicare Savings Program pays the Medicare Part B premium on behalf of qualifying enrollees, which is 202 dollars and 90 cents per month in 2026. MSP enrollment also automatically qualifies beneficiaries for the federal Extra Help subsidy for prescription drug costs. Together, the two programs can reduce a qualifying beneficiary's annual out-of-pocket health care costs by an estimated 8,000 dollars, according to the Medicare Rights Center.
The research found that New York's approach, which aligned state and federal eligibility criteria more closely, helped reduce gaps in coverage and assistance for lower-income residents entering Medicare. The Medicare Rights Center characterized New York as a model for states that might consider similar expansions, noting that most states offer MSP eligibility only at or near the federal minimums.
In plain words
New York changed its rules in 2023 to help more low-income people pay for Medicare. A nonprofit called the Medicare Rights Center studied how that change worked and published its findings on August 13, 2026. The research shows the change is working. About 300,000 more New Yorkers became eligible to get help. The program is called the Medicare Savings Program. It pays the 202 dollars and 90 cents monthly Medicare Part B bill for people who qualify. It also helps them save money on prescription drugs. Together, the two benefits can save a person about 8,000 dollars a year. The research found that people moving from Medicaid to Medicare were more likely to get the help they needed after New York expanded the program. Most other states offer much less help. The nonprofit says other states could expand their programs the same way.
Understand the basics first
Source: Medicare Rights Center
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