I'm on a fixed income and struggling to afford my medications. What's this Extra Help program I've heard about for Medicare Part D?

Answered by 22 licensed agents

Extra Help is made available to lower income seniors on Medicare that require financial assistance to pay for their prescription drug costs. This may include: premium, deductibles, copays, etc. You must meet certain income requirements to qualify for this program and you can contact your local Medicare Agent or your local SSA office.

Answered by Maureen McKenna on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AZ, CO & 19 other states

Answered by Maureen McKenna Medicare Insurance Agent
Check with your state Social Security office to apply for the Extra Help program. Applying to Medicaid may also be an option.

Answered by William Lawler on April 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO, FL, IA & 12 other states

Answered by William Lawler Medicare Insurance Agent
It is through Social Security & also called Low Income Subsidy, or Extra Help. Please contact Social Security. I/We have assisted Medicare Beneficiaries in more than 1 State to apply. You can also go to their website to apply.

You could call your Insurance Company on your Part D Policy & get information on the Monthly Payment Plan that is new in 2025. Thank you.

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Answered by Andrew Zurbuch, MBA on June 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, KY, MO, OH & TN

Answered by Andrew Zurbuch, MBA Medicare Insurance Agent
In 2025, single tax filers making up to $ 1,976 monthly gross income with no more than $ 17,600 in assets (couples: $ 2,665 / $ 35,130) should qualify for Extra Help for Medicare Part D also referred to as LIS (Low Income Subsidy). To apply for help, go to ssa.gov/extra help, call Social Security, or call your local SS office. Walk in traffic is not recommended.

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen on April 3, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, AZ, CA & 16 other states

Answered by Clarence "Mark" Christiansen Medicare Insurance Agent
The Extra Help program, officially known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) for Medicare Part D, helps individuals with limited income and resources afford prescription drug costs. It can reduce or eliminate drug costs, help with premiums, and cover costs above copayments. To qualify you must be below 150% the federal poverty level, and have assets less than about $17k. Some people are automatically enrolled if they are on other government programs like medicaid.

Answered by Luke Rhoads on July 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK

Answered by Luke Rhoads Medicare Insurance Agent
If you meet certain criteria related to assets and income you may qualify for reduced medications. A knowledgeable broker such as myself should be able to help you explore those limits. The application itself, which can be submitted by your broker on your behalf, usually only takes a few minutes to complete.

Answered by Charles Fletcher on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in WA, AZ, ID, NV & TN

Answered by Charles Fletcher Medicare Insurance Agent
You can apply for extra help Medicare Part D by going to www.ssa.gov. There you will see an option for "Medicare." Then select "Apply for Part D extra help." The process is very quick and easy. If you need assistance, I would love to be of service.

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen on May 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in KS & MO

Answered by Kelsey Hentzen Medicare Insurance Agent
Extra Help, also know as Low Income Subsidy is a program from Social Security that helps eligible individuals with the cost of there Medications. It works with any Medicare Prescription drug plan( stand alone plans and Medicare Advantage plans with Prescription Drug coverage). To qualify in 2025 your income must be below $1,903 a month and you must have less than $9.660 in countable assets.

If you qualify you will not pay more than $4.90 for any covered Generic medication or $12.15 for any covered Brand medication. The Extra Help program will cover all cost above these copays. In addition the Extra Help program may cover a portion of your plans monthly premium.

Answered by Tom Kowalczyk on June 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL, PA & SC

Answered by Tom Kowalczyk Medicare Insurance Agent
Extra Help, also referred to as LIS (Low Income Subsidy), is one of several MSPs (Medicare Savings Programs) that are available to individuals that fall within certain income limits.

If you qualify for Extra Help/LIS, you will receive help on the cost of your Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plan) premiums, copays for your medications, and the waiving of any Medicare Part D LEPs (Late Enrollment Penalties) you may currently be incurring.

Certain individuals will receive a letter from Social Security Administration informing them that they automatically qualify for Extra Help, where others will need to apply.

You can view information, income limits and also apply if you fall in/under said income limits by following this link here: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs

Answered by Steve Thurmond on April 23, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AK, AL & 35 other states

Answered by Steve Thurmond Medicare Insurance Agent
The Extra Help program, also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), is a federal assistance program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. If you qualify, Extra Help can significantly lower your monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and copayments for prescription medications.

Eligibility is based on your income and assets, and you can apply through the Social Security Administration. Many individuals find this program valuable because it ensures access to needed medications while minimizing financial strain. If you believe you may qualify, consider contacting Social Security or visiting their website for an application.

For additional details regarding your rights as a Medicare member, you may review the official Member Rights documentation.

Answered by Elijah Pannell on August 15, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, MI, NJ & TX

Answered by Elijah Pannell Medicare Insurance Agent
Contact social security. They can tell you about the extra help program and determine if you qualify. They can pay up to 75% of your medication cost and your monthly premium

Answered by Gary Henderson on June 17, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states

Answered by Gary Henderson Medicare Insurance Agent
You can apply for prescription drug assistance at ssa.gov/prescription help.

You can also apply for further assistance through health and human services or hhs.gov for your county.

Answered by Marcie Barnes on April 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent
It is part of the Medicare Savings Programs. Also known as as LIS - low income subsidy. You apply to see if you qualify through your local DCF or an agent can help you apply.

Answered by Carol Thompson on May 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, LA, MI & NC, SC, VA & WI

Answered by Carol Thompson Medicare Insurance Agent
Extra help is for people that are on a low income or receiving assistance from the state. Sometimes it’s only based on your income because even though your income is low, it’s not low enough for extra help for food, but it can be extra help for medicine.

Answered by Todd Bostic on July 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Todd Bostic Medicare Insurance Agent
If you qualify extra help lowers the cost of most drugs. Specific costs will depend on the drug. It also lowers the cost of the monthly drug plan premium if you have Part D perscription drug plan

Answered by Robert Remin on May 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, FL & NJ

Answered by Robert Remin Medicare Insurance Agent
I can fill this out for you. Please contact me tomorrow Monday and I’ll see if you qualify

Answered by Glenn Alterman on April 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, CA & FL, NJ, OH & TN

Answered by Glenn Alterman Medicare Insurance Agent
The Extra Help program is a prescription help program offered through Social Security. It is income and asset based, but has higher thresholds than the Medicare Savings Program.

Those individuals who qualify for Extra Help have their Part D premiums paid for and their cost of medications greatly reduced.

You can find a link through Medicare.gov under the Basics tab. Give to Medicare Costs and click the "Get help with costs" link. Scroll down until you see the "apply for Extra help" link.

Answered by Jeremy Watson on July 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, KY & MI, OH, SC & TN

Answered by Jeremy Watson Medicare Insurance Agent
The "Extra Help" program, also known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is a Medicare program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. If you qualify, it can significantly reduce or even eliminate your drug costs, including premiums, deductibles, and copayments.

You can apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

You can apply online at the Social Security website, or you can get a paper application from your local SSA office.

You can also get help with the application process from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

You can apply for Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) at the same time.

MSP's can provide additional assistance with other Medicare costs.

Answered by Mark Boone on August 18, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN, FL, MI & NC, OH, SC & VA

Answered by Mark Boone Medicare Insurance Agent
The "Extra Help" program, officially called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), helps people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare Part D prescription drug costs. It can significantly lower or eliminate expenses for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments or coinsurance, with eligible individuals paying very low costs for their medications.

You may qualify if your income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and your resources (like bank accounts or stocks) are below a certain limit, but some people are automatically enrolled. You can apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website at www.ssa.gov/extrahelp, by visiting a local Social Security office, or by getting help from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

If any of these options to enroll seem daunting, I'm happy to get on the phone and walk anyone through the steps as we do it together online or over the phone (I don't have to be your designated agent).

Answered by Stephen Garrard on August 23, 2025

Agent Licensed in UT, AZ, CO & 9 other states

Answered by Stephen Garrard Medicare Insurance Agent
One can apply for extra help you would need to qualify by showing you are on low income in order to get the extra help and would not have to pay for Part D ( prescription drug plan)

Answered by Veronique Kasbarian on April 3, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, ID, NV, OH & TX

Answered by Veronique Kasbarian Medicare Insurance Agent
There are plan options that coordinate to help find the best financial options for those on a fixed income. Feel free to reach out if you would like more information.

Answered by Chris Neal on June 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, AR, AZ & 17 other states

Answered by Chris Neal Medicare Insurance Agent
Extra help can help pay monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments related to a prescription drug plan. Your resources must be limited to $17,600 for a person or $35,130 for a married couple living together.

Answered by Jeannine Berry on August 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, FL, KS & KY, MI, TN & TX

Answered by Jeannine Berry Medicare Insurance Agent

Tags: Advice for Seniors Medicare Part D Prescription Drug

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