Medicare Part D

Missing Extra Help? A Costly Part D Mistake to Avoid

Missing Extra Help? A Costly Part D Mistake to Avoid — plain-language Medicare information for Tamarac, Florida.

TAMARAC, Fla. — One of the most common Medicare mistakes has nothing to do with picking the wrong plan. It's overlooking a federal program that helps pay for prescription drugs — and never applying for it. That program is called Extra Help, also known as the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), and thousands of people who qualify never claim it.

If you or someone you love lives in Tamarac and struggles with drug costs, this is worth a careful read before the next trip to the pharmacy.

What Extra Help actually does

Extra Help is a federal benefit run by the Social Security Administration and Medicare. It reduces what you pay for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. That can include the monthly premium, the yearly deductible, and the copays you pay at the pharmacy counter.

According to CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov), people enrolled in Extra Help pay significantly less for covered generic and brand-name drugs. The exact amount depends on your income and whether you also qualify for Medicaid.

Extra Help is not a plan you sign up for at the pharmacy. It's a subsidy that follows you into whichever Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan you choose.

Who qualifies in 2026

Extra Help is based on income and resources (things like money in the bank, stocks, and bonds — your home and car don't count). Congress expanded the program in 2024 so that everyone who qualifies now gets the full subsidy; the old "partial" tier is gone.

You may qualify if:

• Your income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
• Your resources fall under the limits set by Social Security (updated each year).
• You already have Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program — in that case, you get Extra Help automatically.

Even if you think you earn too much, it's worth applying. Certain income, like some housing help or in-kind support, doesn't count against you. Social Security makes the final call.

Why this matters more in 2026

Part D has changed in real ways over the last two years. The old coverage gap — the "donut hole" — was eliminated in 2025, leaving three simpler phases. In 2026, Part D also has a firm $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615.

For someone on a fixed income in Tamarac, those numbers still add up. Extra Help pushes them down further. And if paying even the capped amount up front is hard, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs into predictable monthly bills over the year at no added charge.

The mistakes we see most

• Assuming you won't qualify. Income limits are higher than many people expect, and the resource test has been loosened.
• Waiting for enrollment season. You can apply for Extra Help any month of the year — not just from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.
• Forgetting to reapply after a life change. A drop in income, a spouse's death, or a move can change eligibility. Report changes to Social Security.
• Paying for "help" with the application. Applying is free through ssa.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or a local SHIP counselor. Anyone charging you a fee is not a legitimate source.

How to apply

You have three no-cost ways to apply:

1. Online at ssa.gov/extrahelp. 2. By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (Social Security) or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 3. In person with a SHINE counselor — Florida's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). They serve Broward County residents, including Tamarac, at no charge and with no sales pitch.

Have your Social Security number, income information, and a rough list of your savings and investments ready. Most applications take under 30 minutes.

What happens after you're approved

Once approved, Extra Help is applied to your Part D plan automatically. If you don't have a drug plan yet, Medicare may enroll you in one — but you can switch to a different Part D or Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage that better fits your prescriptions. Tamarac is in Broward County, where multiple Part D and Medicare Advantage plans are offered, so you have options to compare on medicare.gov's Plan Finder.

You can change plans during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7). People with Extra Help also get additional chances to change plans during the year.