Medicare Part D
Extra Help in Duluth: Part D Aid in 2027
DULUTH, Minn. — Prescription drug costs can feel like a moving target, but a federal program called Extra Help is designed to take some of the pressure off. For 2027, it matters more than ever: Medicare's annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D drug costs, which is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, works alongside Extra Help to push costs down even further for people who qualify.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Medicare's Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and Extra Help can lower drug costs even more for people who qualify.
- For 2025, Extra Help generally requires income under about $23,475 for an individual or $31,725 for a couple, with resource limits around $17,600 and $35,130.
- People already on Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program are automatically enrolled in Extra Help and don't need to apply separately.
- Applying for Extra Help is free, has no deadline, and can be done online at ssa.gov/extrahelp, by phone, or in person at a Social Security office.
Here's a plain-language guide to what Extra Help is, who's eligible, and how folks in Duluth can apply without tripping over common mistakes.
What Extra Help actually is
Extra Help — sometimes called the Low-Income Subsidy, or LIS — is a federal program run through the Social Security Administration and Medicare. It helps people with limited income and resources pay for their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
According to CMS, Extra Help can reduce or eliminate the Part D premium, wipe out the deductible (the Part D maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027), and lower what you pay at the pharmacy counter. As of 2024, the program was expanded so that everyone who qualifies now gets the full benefit — the old "partial" tier is gone.
Who qualifies in 2027
To get Extra Help, you must:
- Have Medicare Part A and/or Part B,
- Live in one of the 50 states or D.C., and
- Have income and resources below the federal limits.
For 2025 (the most current numbers as this goes to print), income generally must be below about $23,475 for an individual or $31,725 for a married couple living together. Resource limits are around $17,600 for individuals and $35,130 for couples. Those numbers typically update each year, so it's worth double-checking on Medicare.gov before you apply.
Two important notes people often miss:
- Some things don't count as resources, including your home, one car, burial plots, and household belongings.
- Some income doesn't count either, like certain in-home support services or housing assistance.
If you already have Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program, you're automatically enrolled in Extra Help — you don't have to apply.
Why this matters in 2027
The Part D landscape has changed. The coverage gap — the old "donut hole" — was eliminated in 2025, and Part D now has three simpler phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic. The out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027; once your spending reaches that year's cap, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
Extra Help stacks on top of that. For people who qualify, drug costs can drop dramatically before ever reaching the cap.
There's also the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, a separate option that lets any Part D enrollee spread their yearly drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying big bills at the pharmacy. It doesn't lower your total cost, but it can smooth out the timing. Extra Help and the payment plan are two different tools — you can use one, both, or neither.
How Duluth residents can apply
Duluth is in St. Louis County, where Medicare beneficiaries have access to a full range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage. Extra Help works with those plans; it doesn't replace them.
You can apply for Extra Help in three ways:
1. Online at ssa.gov/extrahelp 2. By phone at 1-800-772-1213 (Social Security) 3. In person at your local Social Security office
The application is free. There's no deadline — you can apply any time of year.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few pitfalls trip people up every year:
- Assuming you won't qualify. Many people are surprised to learn they're eligible, especially after a change in income or the death of a spouse. Apply anyway if you're close to the limits.
- Forgetting to enroll in a Part D plan. Extra Help pays down your drug costs — but you still need a Part D plan to use it. If you don't pick one, Medicare may auto-assign you to one.
- Not reporting changes. If your income, marital status, or household size changes, tell Social Security. It can affect your Extra Help status.
- Confusing Extra Help with Medicaid or MSPs. They're related but separate. You can apply for one without the others, though qualifying for one often opens the door to another.
Where to get free, personalized help
In Minnesota, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is called the Senior LinkAge Line (1-800-333-2433). Counselors are trained, unbiased, and free. They can screen you for Extra Help, walk you through the application, and compare Part D options during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31).
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 St. Louis County
(MA penetration in St. Louis 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.
Key dates
Medicare enrollment periods at a glance
- Around your 65thInitial Enrollment PeriodA 7-month window around the month you turn 65 — your first chance to sign up.
- October 15 – December 7Annual Enrollment PeriodAnyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
- January 1 – March 31Medicare Advantage Open EnrollmentIf you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- January 1 – March 31General Enrollment PeriodFor people who missed their first chance to sign up for Part B.
- VariesSpecial Enrollment PeriodTriggered by life events like moving or losing other coverage.
Dates are set by Medicare and apply nationwide. Confirm your personal windows at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
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.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Q: I'm on Social Security retirement — can I still qualify for Extra Help?
Q: Does Extra Help cover my Medicare premiums, too?
Q: If I qualify, do I have to reapply every year?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.