Help Paying Medicare Costs in Cabarrus County: Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help and Who to Call
Open Enrollment is about choosing a plan. This guide is about something different: getting help paying for Medicare itself. If you live on a limited, fixed income, you may qualify for help with premiums, deductibles and prescription costs. To compare plans before December 7, see our guide to Medicare open enrollment in Cabarrus County.
Medicare Savings Programs, Called Medicare-Aid in North Carolina
Medicare Savings Programs are run by the state through Medicaid. NC Medicaid calls them Medicare-Aid, and there are three main levels.
Comprehensive Medicare-Aid (MQB-Q) pays your Medicare Part B premium, your Part A premium if you have one, Medicare deductibles and the 20 percent copayment. Limited Medicare-Aid (MQB-B) pays your Part B premium. Limited Medicare-Aid Capped Enrollment (MQB-E) also pays the Part B premium, but funding may be limited.
Income limits change each year. Ask a SHIIP counselor or county caseworker to check the current limits for your household rather than ruling yourself out. If a tight budget also means skipped meals, read about our food delivery for seniors and veterans.
Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs
Extra Help is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles and copays. While you have it, the Part D late enrollment penalty is waived. You automatically qualify if you have full Medicaid, get help paying your Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program, or receive SSI.
When counting resources, Extra Help does not count your home, car, household items, burial plots, life insurance, or up to $1,500 per person set aside for burial expenses.
How to Apply in Cabarrus County
For Medicare-Aid, apply online through ePASS at epass.nc.gov or through Cabarrus County Social Services, 1303 South Cannon Boulevard, Kannapolis, 704-920-1400, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For Extra Help, apply online at ssa.gov or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for an appointment to apply. Have these ready for you and your spouse: bank statements, tax returns, IRA or 401(k) balances, and statements for pensions, veterans benefits, annuities or Railroad Retirement benefits.
Free, Unbiased Help From SHIIP
North Carolina's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), part of the NC Department of Insurance, offers free counseling and can walk you through both programs. Call 1-855-408-1212.
If you already have Medicaid and have questions about your coverage, call the NC Medicaid Contact Center at 888-245-0179.
Need Food? We Deliver — Free of Charge
Solo Faith Church partners with DoorDash to deliver free groceries directly to families across Concord. No paperwork. No judgment. Just food delivered to your door. Request a free grocery delivery.
Community Support Note: This resource guide is part of Solo Faith Church's community directory. Facts come from NC Medicaid's Medicare-Aid page, the NC Department of Insurance SHIIP page Get Help Paying Your Medicare Costs, Social Security's Extra Help page and Cabarrus County's Social Services page, all read on October 25, 2026. We did not print dollar income or resource limits because the figures shown on NC Medicaid's page appeared out of date; call SHIIP or the county to confirm current limits. SHIIP's phone hours were not confirmed. The photograph is a stock image from the Wix free media library. Solo Faith Church has no financial relationship with any organization named here.
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