Medicare Extra Help FAQ

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

• Get help paying your Medicare prescription drug plan costs
• Have no Part D late enrollment penalty

Starting in 2024, Extra Help benefits will be offered to those with Medicare prescription drug coverage who qualify, based on both:
 

• Limited resources
• Incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level

If you qualify, Extra Help benefits include:
 

• $0 or reduced Medicare drug plan premium
• $0 annual Medicare drug plan deductible
• A reduced amount for covered generic and brand-name drugs

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

You may qualify for Extra Help if you have up to:

• $23,475 in yearly income ($31,725 for a married couple), and
• $17,600 in resources ($35,130 for a married couple)

The Medicare Extra Help program defines “resources” as any of the following:

• The amount of money in checking, savings or a retirement account
• Stocks
• Bonds
• Mutual funds
• Real estate
• Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
• Cash you keep at home or elsewhere 

These amounts are for 2025. They may change in 2026. If your income and resources are slightly higher, you should still apply. We will post any changes to these amounts once the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes them. Please check back in January 2025 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

How to automatically get Extra Help from Medicare

It’s possible to automatically qualify for Extra Help. You can skip the application and get help if you:

• Are eligible for Medicare and Medicaid
• Get state help in paying Medicare premiums (specifically for Part B)
• Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments from Social Security

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

• If you’re an Aetna® 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 1-888-715-0225 ${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.