The Extra Help program, also known as the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, provides financial assistance for prescription drugs based on income and level of financial need.
It’s a federal program that covers prescription drugs only. It’s different than state-sponsored Medicare Savings programs.
If you have limited income and savings, the Extra Help program can cover your Part D premiums, deductibles, and copayments. Your typical costs with Extra Help in 2024:
- Premium: $0
- Deductible: $0
- Generic drugs: Up to $4.50 for each prescription
- Brand-name drugs: Up to $11.20 for each prescription
According to the Social Security Administration, the Extra Help program may provide up to $5,300 worth of annual assistance for each beneficiary.
Extra Help doesn’t apply to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), or Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans.
To qualify, you’ll need to meet the income requirements, which are based on the annual federal poverty level. The income limits are higher for people who live in Alaska and Hawaii than in the rest of the United States.
There’s also a limit on the value of your individual or combined resources. Resources can include things like:
- checking, savings, or retirement accounts
- stocks
- bonds
2024 income and resource limits for Alaska:
| Your situation: | Income limit: | Resource limit: |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $28,215 | $17,220 |
| Joint (married) | $38,310 | $34,360 |
2024 income and resource limits for Hawaii:
| Your situation: | Income limit: | Resource limit: |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $25,965 | $17,220 |
| Joint (married) | $35,250 | $34,360 |
2024 income and resource limits for the rest of the United States:
| Your situation: | Income limit: | Resource limit: |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $22,590 | $17,220 |
| Joint (married) | $30,660 | $34,360 |
Applying for a program like Medicare Extra Help might seem like a lot of paperwork. But the application process might be easier than you think.
Here are some tips:
- The form can be filed through the mail or online by clicking here. If you’re sending your application through the mail, make sure to use an original form, not a photocopy.
- You don’t have to submit documents proving your income or assets, and you don’t have to give the government access to your bank account to complete the application.
- You don’t have to list public assistance, foster care payments, interest, or dividends from investments on this application.
- You don’t have to list the value of your home, car, or farmland property on the application.
- Listing children or grandchildren who live with you on your application could make you eligible for extra help.
Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to have someone guide you through the process or fill out the form for you. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, excluding some federal holidays.
There are four kinds of Medicare savings programs to help you with the costs of Part A and Part B if you need assistance. Rules for these programs vary according to the state that you live in.
These are all programs with criteria that can help you pay for Medicare in different ways:
You can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) to find out what benefits you’re qualified to receive. Help is available from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time on weekdays.
Extra Help is designed to help with the costs of prescription drugs under Medicare. This program can help with Part D premiums, deductibles, and copayments.
The amount of assistance you receive is based on your income and assets. The best way to determine your eligibility is to contact Medicare and start the application process.