Medicare Extra Help

Extra Help is a program to help people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare prescription drug program costs.

Extra Help may lower your premiums, deductibles and copays or coinsurance. It also covers you throughout the coverage gap and waives any Part D late enrollment penalty.

If you qualify for Extra Help and join a Medicare prescription drug program, you will:

• Get help paying your Medicare drug plan’s costs
• Have no Part D late enrollment penalty
• Receive the same level of coverage in both the initial coverage  and coverage gap phases

Four different levels of Extra Help

Based on your income and assets, you could qualify for one of four different levels of Extra Help. Depending on your plan and your level, the program may pay 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of your monthly Medicare Part D premium for you.

Keep in mind: Extra Help only covers prescription drug costs.

You may qualify for Extra Help if your income is limited to $20,385 for an individual ($27,465 for a married couple living together), and your resources are limited to $16,660 for an individual ($33,240 for a married couple living together).

Note: Amounts are for 2023 and may change in 2024. If your income and resources are slightly higher, you should still apply. Any changes to these amounts will be posted once they are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Please check back in January 2024 for updates.

For more information about qualifying, call or visit:

• The Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM.
• Social Security Administration website

There are multiple ways to apply for Extra Help. Here are three ways to start:

• If you’re an Allina Health | Aetna Medicare member, you can get help with your application by contacting BeneLynk. They’re available Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 8 PM local time. Call 1-888-715-0098 ${tty}.
• Apply online at Social Security Administration website.
• Apply by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM.