Medicare Part D
Nampa guide to Extra Help and Medicare drug coverage
For people on Medicare in Nampa, prescription costs can be one of the hardest bills to plan for. That's where Extra Help comes in — a federal program, also called the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), that helps pay for Medicare Part D drug coverage. If you qualify, it can lower what you pay for premiums, deductibles, and each prescription you fill.
Compare Medicare Part D options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
This affects which Medicare Part D options you can choose.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240
Key takeaways
- Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Medicare Part D drug costs for people with limited income and resources.
- Part D has a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615 in 2026, moving to a $2,400 cap and a $700 maximum deductible in 2027 — Extra Help can reduce those costs further for people who qualify.
- You can apply anytime, for free, through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
- Nampa is in Canyon County, and free one-on-one help is available from Idaho's SHIBA counselors.
What Extra Help actually does
Extra Help is a subsidy from the federal government that pays part of your Medicare prescription drug (Part D) costs. According to CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov), people who qualify pay no Part D premium or deductible for a benchmark plan and pay only small, capped amounts for covered generic and brand-name drugs.
Since 2024, Extra Help has been a single, full benefit — there is no longer a "partial" version. If you qualify, you get the full subsidy.
Who qualifies for Extra Help
To get Extra Help, you must have Medicare and meet income and resource limits set each year by the Social Security Administration. As a general guide for 2025 (2026 limits will update in the spring), you may qualify if:
- Your yearly income is at or below about 150% of the federal poverty level (roughly $23,000 for a single person, higher for couples).
- Your resources — like money in checking, savings, stocks, and bonds — fall under set limits. Your home, one car, and personal belongings don't count.
Some people qualify automatically and don't need to apply. That includes people who have both Medicare and full Medicaid, people who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and people in a Medicare Savings Program.
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 Canyon County
(MA penetration in Canyon 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.
How Extra Help fits with Part D changes in 2026 and 2027
Part D looks different now than it did just a few years ago. The coverage gap (the old "donut hole") was eliminated in 2025, so drug coverage now has three simpler phases. The out-of-pocket cap on covered Part D drugs is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the maximum plan deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
On top of that, anyone with Part D can use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which spreads your yearly drug costs into monthly payments instead of large hits at the pharmacy. Extra Help works alongside all of this — if you qualify, your costs start lower to begin with.
How to apply from Nampa
You can apply for Extra Help at any time of year. There is no cost to apply, and the application is short.
- Online: ssa.gov/extrahelp
- Phone: Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
- In person: The Social Security office serving Nampa is located in Boise; call ahead for an appointment.
If your application is approved, Social Security will send you a letter. You then either pick a Part D plan or Medicare will enroll you in one so your coverage can begin.
Local help you can trust
Nampa is in Canyon County, and Idaho's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling — including help with Extra Help applications and choosing a Part D plan. SHIBA is Idaho's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is not tied to any insurance company.
You can reach SHIBA at 1-800-247-4422. Local aging and community organizations in Canyon County can also point you toward help.
Key dates to remember
- October 15 – December 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
- Anytime: People who qualify for Extra Help get a Special Enrollment Period and can change Part D plans outside the usual windows.
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
Do I have to apply for Extra Help every year?
Can I get Extra Help if I already have a Part D plan?
What if I was denied Extra Help before?
Is Extra Help the same as Medicaid?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Nampa
Content Integrity Standards
- No invented figures. Program-level numbers come from CMS / Medicare.gov; we never use placeholder data.
- No plan rankings or recommendations. This is educational content. We don't rank, score, or recommend specific plans.
- AI-assisted, human-reviewed. Articles are produced with AI-assisted tools and reviewed by the responsible desk before publishing.
- Inline sourcing. Facts and figures are cited to primary sources — CMS, SSA, and Medicare.gov.
- Correction transparency. We fix errors openly and note when a page was last updated.
- Not a government site. MyMedicarePlans.org is privately owned and not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
This page was last updated: October 6, 2026.