How to get help paying for Medicare: Extra Help and savings programs

Medicare is not free. In 2026 the standard Part B premium alone is $202.90 a month, $2,434.80 a year, before deductibles, coinsurance and drug plan costs. For people with limited income and savings, there are two kinds of federal and state help that can cut those costs sharply, and Medicare.gov's advice is to apply even if you are not sure you qualify.

This guide explains the two programs, Extra Help for drug costs and the Medicare Savings Programs for premiums and other costs, with the 2026 limits and how to apply. All figures are from Medicare.gov.

Two programs, two different jobs

• Extra Help is a federal program that lowers the cost of Medicare drug coverage (Part D): premiums, deductibles and copays.
• Medicare Savings Programs are run by your state and help pay Part A and Part B premiums, and in one program deductibles, coinsurance and copays too.

You can apply for both at the same time, and qualifying for a Medicare Savings Program gets you Extra Help automatically.

Extra Help: 2026 limits and 2027 costs

For 2027, Medicare.gov lists what people with Extra Help pay:

• $0 plan premium and $0 deductible.
• Up to $5.80 for a generic and $14.40 for a brand-name drug at a participating pharmacy.
• $0 for covered drugs once total drug costs reach $2,400.

Compare that with the standard 2027 Part D benefit, which can have a deductible of up to $700 and an out-of-pocket cap of $2,400; see the Part D 2027 guide. People with Extra Help also do not pay the Part D late enrollment penalty while they get it.

Medicare Savings Programs: four programs, 2026 limits

These are federal limits. Medicare.gov stresses that your state may qualify you with higher income or resources, and that some states do not count certain kinds or amounts of income or resources. Its advice is to apply even if you do not think you qualify.

What QMB protects you from

In the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, though you may get a bill for a small Medicaid copay. Show both your Medicare card and your Medicaid or QMB card each time you get care.

QI has extra rules

You must apply every year, states approve applications first come, first served with priority for people who had QI the year before, and QI is only for people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage.

What the help is worth

At the 2026 standard premium, having Part B paid saves $2,434.80 a year per person, before counting deductibles and drug costs. For a couple on SLMB or QI, that is $4,869.60 a year.

Two examples against the federal limits

A widow with $1,500 a month of income and modest savings is above the QMB limit of $1,350 and the SLMB limit of $1,616, but under the QI limit of $1,816. If her resources are under $9,950, QI could pay her Part B premium, and she would get Extra Help with drugs as well.

A married couple with $2,300 a month is over the couple's SLMB limit of $2,184 but under the QI limit of $2,455. Their state decides the final answer, and it may use more generous rules than these federal figures.

Illustrations only; income and resources are counted under each program's rules, which your state applies.

How to apply

1. Extra Help: apply with Social Security online or by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can apply any time, before or after enrolling in Part D.
2. Medicare Savings Programs: apply through your state, which decides which program fits. Social Security will start a state application from your Extra Help application unless you tell it not to.
3. Free help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

The Extra Help page and the Medicare Savings Programs page keep the limits in one place.