Medicare Part D
Extra Help in Bellevue: Who Qualifies for Medicare Drug Aid in 2027
BELLEVUE, Wash. — If prescription costs have been weighing on you, there's a federal program worth knowing about by name: Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS). It's designed to lower what people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare drug coverage.
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Key takeaways
- Extra Help, also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy, is a federal program that lowers drug coverage costs for people with limited income and resources, and eligibility rules are the same no matter where in King County you live.
- In 2027, Part D has a $2,400 annual out-of-pocket cap and a $700 maximum deductible, but Extra Help can lower costs even further for those who qualify.
- Since 2024 the partial subsidy tier was eliminated, so everyone who qualifies for Extra Help now gets the full benefit, and this continues in 2027.
- There is no fee to apply, and you can apply online at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, in person at a Social Security office, or with free help from Washington's SHIBA program at 1-800-562-6900.
Bellevue seniors, here's why Extra Help matters more than ever
Extra Help matters in 2027 for one big reason: even with the $2,400 annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D drug costs and the $700 maximum Part D deductible set by CMS, $2,400 is still a lot of money for many households. Extra Help can bring those costs down further for people who qualify.
Bellevue is in King County, where a wide range of stand-alone Part D and Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage are offered — but Extra Help is a federal benefit, so eligibility rules are the same whether you live in Crossroads, Factoria, or Somerset.
What Extra Help actually does
Extra Help is run by the Social Security Administration and Medicare together. For people who qualify, it can:
- Lower or eliminate your Part D plan premium (up to a benchmark amount).
- Reduce or eliminate your Part D deductible.
- Cap what you pay at the pharmacy counter for covered generic and brand-name drugs.
- Remove any late enrollment penalty for Part D.
As of 2024, Extra Help was expanded so that everyone who qualifies now gets the full subsidy — the older "partial" tier is gone. That change carries into 2027.
Who qualifies in 2027
Two things are looked at: your income and your resources (savings, investments, and certain property — not your home or car).
The exact income and resource limits are updated each year by CMS and the Social Security Administration and are tied to the federal poverty level. As a general guide, Extra Help is aimed at people with incomes at or below roughly 150% of the federal poverty level, with modest resources. Because the 2027 figures update annually, check the current limits at medicare.gov/extra-help or ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help before you rule yourself out.
A few important notes for Bellevue readers:
- If you already have Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program through Washington State, you automatically qualify for Extra Help. You don't need to apply.
- Only your countable income and resources are counted. Your home, one vehicle, burial plots, and certain other items don't count toward the resource limit.
- Being denied in the past doesn't mean you'd be denied today. The rules have loosened.
How to apply from Bellevue
There's no fee to apply, and no salesperson involved. You have four straightforward options:
1. Online: Apply through Social Security at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help. 2. By phone: Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). 3. In person: Visit a Social Security office. The office serving Bellevue is typically the Bellevue Social Security field office; call ahead for an appointment. 4. Free local help: Washington's SHIBA program (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) offers unbiased, one-on-one counseling. Reach SHIBA at 1-800-562-6900 or through the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
You can also apply for a Medicare Savings Program at the same time through Washington's Health Care Authority — that program helps with Part A and B costs and often opens the door to automatic Extra Help.
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 King County
(MA penetration in King 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 the 2027 Part D changes
Even if you don't qualify for Extra Help, it helps to know what's changed in Part D:
- The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025. Part D now has three phases: deductible, initial coverage, and catastrophic.
- Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs hits $2,400 in 2027, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs the rest of the year.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year in monthly installments instead of paying at the pharmacy counter. It's optional and free to opt into through your plan.
- IRMAA surcharges — extra premium amounts for higher earners — begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026. That's a separate track from Extra Help.
Key dates to keep on the fridge
- October 15 – December 7, 2026: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. You can join, switch, or drop a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan for 2027.
- January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, for people already in an MA plan.
- Extra Help: You can apply any time of year — there's no window. If approved mid-year, you also get a Special Enrollment Period to change your drug plan.
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 own my home in Bellevue. Does that count against me for Extra Help?
Q: I was turned down for Extra Help a few years ago. Should I try again?
Q: If I qualify for Extra Help, do I still have to pick a Part D plan?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.