Call SelectQuote
Work with one of our licensed insurance agents to get answers to your Medicare questions, unbiased comparisons of coverage and resources to simplify the entire process. Call 1-833-574-3011 (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to get started.
Speak to a Licensed Sales Agent! Hours: Mon-Thur 7am-8pm; Fri 7am-7pm; Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 10am-3pm CT
Questions about Extra Help? SelectQuote has you covered.
Let our licensed insurance agents help you figure out what extra support you may be qualified for.
No obligation to enroll
What is Medicare Extra Help?
Medicare Low-Income Subsidy—also known as the Medicare Extra Help Program—is meant to help individuals with fixed incomes pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare Part D. It’s also known as the Part D Low-Income Subsidy. It’s important to remember that Extra Help is not a replacement for Part D, nor is it a plan on its own. You must still have a Part D plan to receive Medicare prescription drug coverage with Extra Help.
Medicare Extra Help Qualifications and Income Limits
Depending on your income and assets, you could qualify for either full or partial Extra Help. Both help with the cost of prescription drugs.If any of the following are applicable, you may be automatically qualified for Extra Help and don’t need to apply for the program.
- Are dual-eligible (i.e., you are enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare)
- Receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Qualify for a Medicare Savings plan
Medicare Extra Help Benefits
The amount of financial support you can receive from Extra Help depends on both your income and resources, but most people who qualify for Extra Help will pay:
- No premiums (up to state benchmark; varies by state)
- No prescription drug deductibles
- No more than $4.90 for generic and $12.15 for brand-name for each drug the plan covers1
Additionally, Extra Help beneficiaries have the following benefits:
- Quarterly Special Enrollment Period: From January to September, you can join or switch Medicare Part D drug plans once every three months. This Special Enrollment Period makes it so you don’t have to wait for the Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) to change plans. Any plans made outside of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period then become valid the following month. This benefit can be especially helpful to those who may need to begin medications that are not on the current plan’s approved drug list.
- No Part D Late Enrollment Penalty: Even if you enroll after you were first eligible to join a Part D plan and did not have other drug coverage.
How to Apply for Low-Income Subsidy
To apply for Medicare Low-Income Subsidy, simply complete an application for Extra Help with Social Security. You can do so by:
- Applying online at www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/prescriptionhelp
- Calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
- Applying in person at your local Social Security office
Understand Medicare Plan Costs with SelectQuote
SelectQuote is here to help you navigate your questions about Medicare plan costs. We can also help you review the Medicare Advantage plans that may be available to you. It’s free and there’s no obligation to enroll.
No obligation to enroll
We do the shopping. You do the saving.
No obligation to enroll
SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services is a division of SelectQuote Insurance Services. © 2025 SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services. All rights reserved.
Please see the Disclosures Page for more information.
MULTI-PLAN_SQSRW2026_M
Looking for an affordable Medicare plan? Let us help.
We’ll call you.
If you’re pressed for time, complete this form and a member of our team will call you at your selected time.