Costs
Extra Help
Quick answer
Extra Help — also called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) — is a federal program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Plain-English definition
Extra Help now covers 100% of Part D drug costs for those who qualify: no premium, no deductible, and low fixed copays on covered drugs.
Why it matters
Extra Help can save thousands of dollars a year on prescriptions.
A simple example
You qualify for full Extra Help — your generics are a few dollars per fill and your Part D premium is $0.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
LIS is the technical name for Extra Help — federal assistance that lowers or eliminates Part D drug costs for people with limited income and resources.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You get it either as a stand-alone drug plan (PDP) with Original Medicare or bundled inside most Medicare Advantage plans.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that helps people with limited income and resources pay for health care. People who have both Medicare and Medicaid are 'dual-eligible.'
Special Enrollment Period (SEP)
A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) is a window outside the standard windows when you can join, switch, or drop a plan. SEPs are triggered by qualifying life events like moving, losing employer coverage, or becoming eligible for Medicaid.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply?+
Apply through the Social Security Administration or your state Medicaid office.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.