Medicare Part D
Loveland CO Extra Help for Part D in 2027
LOVELAND, Colo. — If you're on Medicare and struggling to pay for prescriptions, there's a federal program that could take a big bite out of your drug costs. It's called Extra Help, and thanks to recent changes, more people than ever now qualify.
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Key takeaways
- Extra Help can lower or even wipe out Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays for people with limited income and savings.
- Since 2024, the old "partial" Extra Help tier is gone, so everyone who qualifies now gets the full benefit, and that continues into 2027.
- People with Medicare and full Medicaid, those in a Medicare Savings Program, or those getting SSI are automatically enrolled, while others can apply anytime online, by phone, or in person at Social Security.
- In 2026, Part D has a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap and a deductible no higher than $615; in 2027, the cap rises to $2,400 and the maximum deductible to $700, with the old coverage gap replaced by three simpler phases.
Also known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), Extra Help is run through Social Security and can lower or wipe out your Part D premium, deductible, and copays for covered drugs. Here's a plain-English guide to who qualifies, what it's worth, and how to apply.
What Extra Help actually does
Extra Help is a federal benefit for people with Medicare who have limited income and savings. If you qualify, it can:
- Reduce or eliminate your Part D monthly premium (up to a benchmark amount).
- Lower your Part D deductible.
- Cap what you pay at the pharmacy counter for covered generics and brand-name drugs at small, set amounts.
- Remove any late enrollment penalty you may have had for Part D.
Since 2024, the program has been fully expanded. Congress got rid of the old “partial” Extra Help tier, so everyone who qualifies now gets the full benefit. That change carries into 2027.
Who qualifies in 2027
To qualify for Extra Help, you generally need to meet two tests: income and resources.
- Income: Your annual income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. For 2025, that's about $23,475 for a single person and $31,725 for a married couple living together. (Figures update each spring; Social Security uses the most current limits when it reviews your application.)
- Resources: Things like money in checking, savings, stocks, and bonds must be under roughly $17,600 for an individual or $35,130 for a couple. Your home, one car, burial plots, and personal belongings don't count.
Some people are automatically enrolled and don't need to apply. That includes people who have both Medicare and full Medicaid, people in a Medicare Savings Program, and people getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If that's you, Social Security or your state mails you a notice.
If you're close to the limits, apply anyway. Social Security says many people who could qualify never sign up because they assume they earn too much.
How Extra Help fits with the new Part D cap
Starting in 2026, Medicare Part D has a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs — a first in the program's history. The Part D deductible can be no more than $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027), and the old coverage gap (the "donut hole") is gone, replaced by three simpler phases.
If you get Extra Help, you likely won't come close to that $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) ceiling because your copays are already very low. But the cap is a safety net for everyone else. There's also the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which lets any Part D enrollee spread drug costs into monthly bills instead of paying big amounts up front at the pharmacy.
How to apply
There are three easy ways to apply, and it's free:
1. Online at ssa.gov/extrahelp. 2. By phone at Social Security: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 3. In person at your local Social Security office.
The application is short. Social Security will ask about your income, your household, and your savings. You don't need to have your Medicare drug plan picked out first — you can apply for Extra Help at any time of year, not just during open enrollment.
Once approved, you can enroll in or switch a Part D plan using a special enrollment period tied to Extra Help.
Local help in Loveland
Loveland is in Larimer County, where Medicare beneficiaries have a number of stand-alone Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage to choose from. Plan availability is set at the county level, so two neighbors in Loveland see the same menu.
For free, unbiased help sorting through your options or filling out the Extra Help form, Colorado's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — locally run through the Colorado Division of Insurance — offers one-on-one counseling at no cost. Larimer County's Office on Aging can also point you to a counselor near you.
Key dates to remember
- Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7 (for coverage starting January 1).
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31.
- Extra Help applications: Accepted year-round.
If you're already on Extra Help, Social Security may send a form asking you to confirm your income and resources. Return it promptly so your benefits don't lapse.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Larimer County
(MA penetration in Larimer County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Try it
Find your 2026 Medicare premium
Most people pay the standard Part B premium. If your 2024 income was higher, an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) applies. Enter your details to see your bracket.
Surcharges are added to your premiums and based on your 2024 tax return. Married-filing-separately uses a different schedule. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I was denied Extra Help years ago. Should I try again?
Q: Does Extra Help cover my Medicare Part B premium too?
Q: Will Extra Help pay for every prescription I take?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.