Senior Aid Finder Guide

Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in 2026: What It Pays and How to Apply

Reviewed August 27, 2026 · Independent informational service

Extra Help is the federal assistance program that lowers Medicare Part D prescription costs for people with limited income and resources. Some people get it automatically; others need to apply.

What Extra Help changes in 2026

Medicare says people receiving Extra Help in 2026 pay a $0 plan premium and $0 deductible for covered Part D drugs, with copays of no more than $5.10 for a generic drug and $12.65 for a brand-name drug at participating pharmacies. After total drug costs reach $2,100, covered drugs cost $0 for the rest of the year.

Who gets it automatically?

Automatic qualification can apply to people with full Medicaid, people receiving SSI, and people enrolled in a Medicare Savings Program. Medicare sends a notice explaining the level of help.

If you are not automatically enrolled

You can apply through Social Security. Medicare specifically notes that income and resource limits can change each year, so use the current official figures. If your finances change later, you can apply again.

Do not pay a middleman just to apply

The official application is available through Social Security. Free counseling is also available through State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP). Be cautious with callers or websites that create urgency, ask for unnecessary banking information, or charge simply to submit a standard government application.