What Is Medicare Extra Help?
Prescription drug coverage is important for anyone who is eligible for Medicare. But the cost of this coverage stops many people from getting it.
The Extra Help program can help you pay for your Medicare prescription drug costs. In this article you’ll learn what Extra Help specifically covers and find out if you qualify for this program.
What is Medicare Extra Help?
Extra Help is not insurance itself. It is a subsidy that lowers the cost of your drug coverage in Medicare Part D. With Extra Help, you will get the same coverage as anyone on the same plan, but you will pay less for it.
The Extra Help program is sometimes called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program. That’s because it was created for people with limited financial resources.
People with low incomes may have trouble paying for the many costs of Medicare drug coverage:
- Monthly premiums
- Annual deductibles
- Copayments when you pick up a prescription
What does Extra Help cover?
Depending on your situation, Extra Help will cover a portion of your drug costs or all of your drug costs.1 This assistance can save you as much as $5,000 a year.2
The Extra Help program only covers costs related to a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D). It does not help with costs from other parts of Medicare (Part A, Part B, Part C, or Medicare supplement plans).
If you need a refresher on the parts of Medicare, see our Medicare 101 Guide.
Extra Help also eliminates the late-enrollment penalty for not getting Part D drug coverage when you were first eligible. However, it doesn’t affect the Part B late-enrollment penalty.
Do I qualify for Extra Help with Medicare?
You can qualify for the Extra Help program if both of these are true:
- Your income is $19,140 a year or less. Common examples of income are wages, pensions, and Social Security benefits. If you’re married, your spouse’s income is counted, too, and the income limit goes up to $25,860.
- You have $14,610 or less in resources. Your resources are the things you own and how much they are worth. Common examples are your bank accounts, retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k)s), and any cash you have. Your home and vehicle are not counted. If you’re married, the resource limit for Extra Help is $29,160.
Even if your income and resources are above these limits, you can still apply for the Extra Help program, because you might qualify for partial assistance. You may also be able to receive Extra Help if you meet one of these exceptions:
- You are supporting other family members in your household.
- You live in Alaska or Hawaii. (These states have higher income limits.)
- You are an American Indian or Alaska Native.
If you have Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are automatically included in the Extra Help program.
How to apply for Medicare Extra Help
Lots of Medicare enrollees are eligible for Extra Help, but many don’t know about the program or don’t apply.
There are three ways to apply for the Extra Help program:
- Use the online application on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website.
- Call Social Security at +1-800-772-1213 (TTY +1-800-325-0778) to apply by phone or request a paper application.
- Apply in person at your local Social Security office. (Note: This option is currently unavailable because Social Security offices are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
If you are approved for Extra Help, there is one more step: choosing a prescription drug plan if you don’t already have one. If you don’t choose a plan, Medicare will assign one to you randomly. Choosing your own drug plan allows you to get coverage sooner.
For help choosing a plan, check out our Guide to Medicare Part D.
The bottom line
The Extra Help program can lower your Medicare Part D prescription drugs costs. It may save you as much as $5,000 per year. To qualify, you must have income and resources below set limits. Some people are automatically enrolled in Extra Help, and others can apply to get their drug costs lowered.
FAQ
The income limit is $19,140 for individuals or $25,860 for married couples living together.
No. The Extra Help program is just for costs related to Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D). Other parts of Medicare, such as Part B, are not included in the subsidy.
Yes. You can get help from your state. State-run Medicare Savings Programs can help with costs from other parts of Medicare. When you apply for Extra Help, the Social Security Administration will share your information with your state. Your state will then contact you to apply for its programs.
You can remain on the program for as long as you qualify. When you are on the Extra Help program, your status will be reviewed each year, usually in August.
Yes. If you are both on Medicare (or will be in the next three months), you can apply for Extra Help on the same application.
Sources:
1. Medicare.gov, “If You Get Extra Help, Make Sure You’re Paying the Right Amount”
2. Social Security Administration, “Understanding the Extra Help With Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan”
Content on this site has not been reviewed or endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the United States Government, any state Medicare agency, or any private insurance agency (collectively "Medicare System Providers"). Eligibility.com is a DBA of Clear Link Technologies, LLC and is not affiliated with any Medicare System Providers.
