Buncombe County Government North Carolina

departments & agencies

Economic Services / m-qb

40 Coxe Avenue
Asheville, NC 28802
(828) 250-5500

Medicare-Aid For Help With Medicare Costs

Individuals who have Medicare coverage may be eligible to have their Medicare premiums paid by Medicaid if their income is between 100% and 135% of the poverty level. There is a limit on resources.

Your Medicare-Aid Benefit depends on your monthly income


If income is no more than: Your Medicare-Aid Benefit is payment of:
Individual Couple  
$798 $1070
  • Part B premiums ($78.20 per month)
  • Part A premiums (when applicable)
  • Medicare hospital deductible ($912)
  • Medicare annual deductible ($110)
  • 20% Medicare co-payment
$957 $1,283
  • Part B premiums ($78.20 per month)
$1077 $1,444
  • Part B premiums ($78.20 per month) Funds for this program may be limited

Income includes:

  • Social Security
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Pensions and other retirement benefits and
  • Wages (some income can be disregarded).

Resources Include:

  • cash
  • bank accounts
  • second car
  • retirement accounts
  • stocks and bonds and
  • real estate that is not your home.
  • Your resources must be no more than $4,000 for an individual, or $6,000 for a couple. Resources DO NOT INCLUDE your home, car, household furnishings, clothing or other personal effects such as jewelry.

Medicare-Aid only pays for services covered by Medicare. Therefore, it DOES NOT pay for prescriptions or eyeglasses.

Contact Information

Kathryn Barnwell
(828) 250-5795
kathryn.barnwell@buncombecounty.org

Department of Social Services
40 Coxe Avenue
Asheville NC 28802
(828) 250-5500