Learn more about Medicare’s Extra Help Program, also called Part D Low-Income Subsidy. Find out how you may be able to save money and get help paying your prescription drug costs.


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What is Medicare “Extra Help?” (Medicare Part D’s Low-Income Subsidy)

Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) is offered to everyone with Medicare. For people with limited income and resources, a program called “Extra Help” is available to help pay for Part D premiums, deductibles and copayments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. 

Also known as the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS), “Extra Help” is estimated to be worth about $5,300 per year.1 Here’s a look at who qualifies, the benefits and how to apply.

To qualify for “Extra Help”, you must:

    Live in the United States

    Be enrolled in or eligible for a Part D prescription drug plan

    Meet the income limit

    Meet the resource limit 



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Income refers to how much money you (and your spouse if you’re married) make in a calendar year. 

Resources include the value of the things you own. Some examples include:

    Real estate (other than your primary residence)

    Bank accounts (checking, savings and certificates of deposit) 

    Stocks

    Bonds (including U.S. Savings Bonds)

    Mutual funds

    Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

    Cash at home or anywhere else



“Extra Help” supports people who are on Medicare and also qualify for their state’s Medicaid program. 2024 benefits include:

    No or reduced monthly premium

    No annual deductible

    Paying no more than $4.50 for each generic/preferred multi-source drug or biosimilar 

    Paying no more than $11.20 for all other drugs 


Once your out-of-pocket costs reach $8,000, you’ll pay $0 for each covered drug. 

Other benefits of “Extra Help” 

In addition to lower out-of-pocket costs, “Extra Help”  gives you:

    No Part D late enrollment penalty—Medicare charges this penalty to people who don’t sign up for Part D drug coverage when you’re first eligible for a Part D plan. You will not be charged this penalty.

    Special Enrollment Periods—Most people with Medicare can only make changes to their drug coverage at certain times of the year. If you get “Extra Help,” you may have access to these special enrollment periods.



Some people automatically qualify for “Extra Help” and others have to apply. You'll automatically receive “Extra Help” if you get:4

    Full Medicaid coverage

    Help from your state paying your Part B premiums 

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits from Social Security


If you don’t automatically qualify for “Extra Help”, you can apply through the Social Security Administration in 3 ways: 

    Online—Go to the Social Security Administration’s website

    Phone—Call 800-772-1213 (TTY: 800-325-0778)

    In person—Visit your local Social Security office


Note: If you don’t qualify for “Extra Help” now, you can reapply at any time if your income and resources change.

“Extra Help” can help pay for all or most of your monthly Medicare premiums and annual deductibles, plus lower your prescription copayments. For more ways to potentially save on out-of-pocket costs, check out these other Medicare Savings Programs.

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    “Understanding the Extra Help with Your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan,” Social Security Administration, last accessed Jan. 19, 2024, https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10508.pdf, PDF.

        “Help with drug costs,” Medicare.gov, last accessed Jan. 19, 2024, https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs.

    “Help with drug costs.” 

    “Help with drug costs.” 



Medicare “Extra Help” income and resource limits