Medicare Part D
Glen Cove, NY: Extra Help for Part D in 2027
GLEN COVE, N.Y. — If prescription costs are stretching your monthly budget, there's a federal program you may not have heard about: the Low-Income Subsidy, better known as Extra Help. It's designed to lower what people with Medicare pay for their Part D prescription drugs — including premiums, deductibles, and copays.
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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
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Key takeaways
- Extra Help is a federal program that lowers Part D drug costs like premiums, deductibles, and copays, and it works alongside your existing Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan.
- As of 2024, the old "partial" benefit tier was eliminated, so everyone who qualifies now gets the full Extra Help benefit.
- If you qualify for Extra Help, you get a Special Enrollment Period that lets you change your drug plan once per quarter during the first three quarters of the year, instead of waiting for the Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 Annual Enrollment Period.
- There is no cost to apply, applying won't affect your other Medicare benefits, and people with Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program often qualify automatically without a separate application.
A Program That Quietly Helps Millions
Extra Help isn't a plan you buy. It's assistance from Medicare and Social Security that works alongside your existing Part D or Medicare Advantage drug coverage. And for many Glen Cove residents on fixed incomes, it can make a real difference at the pharmacy counter.
Who Qualifies in 2027
Eligibility for Extra Help is based on your income and resources. According to the Social Security Administration and CMS, you generally need to:
- Have Medicare Part A and/or Part B
- Live in one of the 50 states or D.C.
- Meet income and resource limits set each year
As of 2024, the program was expanded so that everyone who qualifies now receives the full Extra Help benefit — the older "partial" tier was eliminated. That means if you're eligible at all, you get the maximum help available.
Income limits are updated annually and are tied to the federal poverty level. Resource limits count things like money in checking, savings, stocks, and bonds — but they do not count your home, one car, personal belongings, or life insurance policies.
Even if you think you might earn slightly too much, it's worth applying. Many people are surprised to find they qualify.
What Extra Help Actually Covers
If you qualify, Extra Help can:
- Lower or eliminate your Part D premium (up to a benchmark amount)
- Lower or eliminate your Part D deductible (the standard maximum is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027)
- Reduce your copays for covered prescriptions
- Remove any late enrollment penalty for Part D
Extra Help also works together with the new 2026 Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,100, and beneficiaries can still use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments if that helps with budgeting.
How Coverage Works Locally
Glen Cove is in Nassau County, where Medicare beneficiaries can choose from a range of stand-alone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage. Extra Help travels with you — it applies no matter which qualifying Part D or MA-PD plan you're enrolled in through Nassau County's available options.
One helpful feature: if you qualify for Extra Help, you get a Special Enrollment Period. That means you can change your Part D or Medicare Advantage drug plan once per quarter during the first three quarters of the year, instead of waiting for the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7).
How to Decide If You Should Apply
Ask yourself a few honest questions:
1. Are prescription costs a strain? If you skip doses or delay refills because of cost, apply. 2. Do you have Medicaid, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program? If yes, you likely qualify automatically — you don't need to apply separately. 3. Are you close to the income limit? Apply anyway. Social Security makes the final determination, and rules about what counts as income and resources can work in your favor.
There is no cost to apply, and applying does not affect your other Medicare benefits.
How to Apply
You can apply for Extra Help in three ways:
- Online at ssa.gov/extrahelp
- By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213
- In person at your local Social Security office
For personalized help understanding your options — including how Extra Help works with specific plans in Nassau County — reach out to New York's SHIP program (HIICAP), which offers free, unbiased counseling to Medicare beneficiaries.
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 Nassau County
(MA penetration in Nassau 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: If I qualify for Extra Help, do I still need a Part D plan?
Q: I was denied Extra Help a few years ago. Should I try again?
Q: Does Extra Help cover all my medications?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.