Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
What is Extra Help?
Extra Help is a program offered by Medicare for people with low incomes and limited assets. This is also called Low Income Subsidy or LIS. But less than half of the people eligible for Extra Help sign up. So if you need help paying Part D premiums, deductibles and copays and think you might qualify, submit an application.
Do I qualify for Extra Help?
To be eligible for help with drug costs, you must:
- Live in the United States or District of Columbia.1
- Qualify for Medicare Part A and/or be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
- Have less than $16,660 in annual income2/$15,160 in assets (if single).2
- Have less than $33,240 in annual income2/$30,240 in assets (if married).2
Learn more about income and resource levels, counting your assets and how to apply for Extra Help here.
1Programs may vary if you live in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands. Income amounts will vary for Hawaii and Alaska.
2Even if you have more or less than these amounts, you might still qualify for Extra Help and the amounts may change each year. The resource limits include $1,500 per person for burial expenses.
If you aren't getting Extra Help, find out if you qualify by calling:
- 1-800-Medicare (toll-free; TTY/TDD users call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week
- Your State Medicaid Office
- The Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. TTY/TDD users should call 1-800-325-0778 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.