Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs

Extra Help: lower drug costs

Extra Help is a Medicare program for people with limited income and resources. It helps pay Part D premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and other drug costs, and while you have it you do not owe the Part D late enrollment penalty. If you qualify and are not in a drug plan yet, Medicare enrolls you in one, and you can pick a different plan if you prefer. People with Extra Help may also be able to change their drug coverage once a month, instead of only at set times of the year.

In 2026 the limits are $23,940 in yearly income and $18,090 in resources for a single person, and $32,460 in income and $36,100 in resources for a married couple. Medicare explains on its site what it counts toward each limit, and the limits can go up each year.

Who gets Extra Help automatically

You can apply for Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program together. Unless you say otherwise on the Extra Help application, Social Security passes your information to your state to start the Savings Program application. If your income or savings change later, you can apply again at any time.

Medicare Savings Programs: help with premiums

These programs are run by each state and help pay Part A and Part B premiums, and in some cases deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. You apply through your state, and the state decides which program fits. Medicare's advice is to apply even if you are not sure you qualify, because some states count income and resources more generously than the federal limits.

Qualifying for QMB, SLMB or QI also qualifies you for Extra Help, so in 2026 you would pay no more than $12.65 for each drug your plan covers. Because these programs generally also lift the Part B late enrollment penalty, see late enrollment penalties if you signed up late. For how drug plans work, see what Part D covers.

Common questions

Last reviewed October 2026. Medicare rules, dates and dollar amounts can change each year; Medicare.gov has the official details.