Maryland Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program (SPDAP): Eligibility and How to Apply
What SPDAP Is and What It Pays
The Senior Prescription Drug Assistance Program is Maryland's own pharmaceutical assistance program, authorized under COMAR 10.09.60 and funded through a special tax on CareFirst's nonprofit premium exemption. It pays up to $100 per month directly toward the premium of a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
SPDAP is strictly a premium subsidy. It does not cover copays, coinsurance, or pharmacy counter costs. Its purpose is to offset the monthly insurance premium that moderate-income seniors pay to maintain Part D drug coverage.
The program is administered by a contractor — International Software Systems Inc. (ISSI) — not by the Maryland Department of Health directly. Applications and questions go through ISSI's office:
- Phone: 1-800-551-5995 (TTY: 1-800-877-5156)
- Mail: PO Box 749, Greenbelt, MD 20768-0749
- Website: marylandspdap.com
Who Qualifies for SPDAP
SPDAP eligibility is broader than the Medicare Savings Programs because the income ceiling is much higher and there is no asset test at all.
Income limit: 300% of the Federal Poverty Guideline — $47,880/year for an individual, $64,920/year for a two-person household in 2026.
Age or disability: You must be 65 or older, or under 65 with a qualifying disability and enrolled in Medicare.
Residency: Maryland resident for at least six months before applying.
Medicare enrollment: You must be enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage.
No asset test: Bank accounts, home equity, retirement savings, and investments are not evaluated.
The critical exclusion: If you receive Full Extra Help (the federal Low-Income Subsidy) or full Medicaid, you are ineligible for SPDAP. Federal subsidies already cover benchmark Part D premiums, so SPDAP would duplicate that benefit. This means anyone enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program — which automatically triggers Full Extra Help — cannot also receive SPDAP.
The Waitlist
SPDAP funding is capped by the Maryland General Assembly. When enrollment reaches the budget ceiling, new applications go onto a waitlist in the order they were received. Existing members who recertify on time keep their spots — the waitlist affects only new applicants.
Maryland Senate Bill 219 extended SPDAP's authorization through December 31, 2030, so the program itself isn't going away. But the funding cap means availability fluctuates year to year.
If you're placed on the waitlist, ISSI processes applications in chronological order as slots open.
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How to Apply
Applications are submitted directly to ISSI by mail or through the SPDAP website. This is a separate process from the Medicare Savings Programs — SPDAP does not go through your local DSS office or myMDTHINK.
One important setup step: SPDAP pays your premium directly to the insurance carrier. For that to work, you need to set up direct billing with your Part D plan instead of having premiums deducted from your Social Security check. Contact your Part D carrier and request direct billing before or shortly after your SPDAP application is approved.
SPDAP vs. Extra Help: Which One Applies
These two programs serve different income ranges and cannot overlap. The comparison between SPDAP and Extra Help breaks down which one applies at each income level, but the short version:
- Income up to 150% FPL ($1,995/month for an individual in 2026) → may qualify for Extra Help if resource limits are met. If also eligible for an MSP, approval automatically triggers Extra Help.
- Income above 150% and up to 300% FPL → SPDAP may be available if you are not receiving Full Extra Help or full Medicaid.
- Receiving Full Extra Help already → ineligible for SPDAP
The Maryland Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help & SPDAP Guide covers both programs and maps the income ranges where each one applies.
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