Medicare Extra Help — who qualifies and how to apply.
Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) pays most of your Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays if your income and resources are below set limits.
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Who qualifies
To qualify for full Extra Help, your annual income generally must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, with limits on cash, stocks, and bonds. The income and resource limits change every year — check the current year amounts before applying.
Some people qualify automatically — Medicaid recipients, Medicare Savings Program enrollees, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients usually get Extra Help without applying separately.
What Extra Help pays
- Most or all of your Part D plan premium
- The annual Part D deductible
- Most of your copays at the pharmacy
- No coverage gap ("donut hole") penalty
How to apply
Apply through the Social Security Administration (online, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office). You can also apply through your state Medicaid agency. There is no cost to apply.
If approved, Extra Help is automatic going forward — you do not have to reapply every year, but you may be reviewed periodically.