Partial Extra Help went away
People used to hear “full Extra Help” versus “partial Extra Help.” Partial Extra Help paid a slice of the premium and left you with a deductible and 15% coinsurance. Starting in 2024, people who meet Extra Help income and resource limits generally get full Extra Help. If someone is still describing the old partial program, check the year they are using.
Copay levels that still exist in 2026
Most people with Extra Help pay $5.10 for a generic and $12.65 for a brand-name covered Part D drug, with a $0 deductible. Full dual eligibles with income at or under 100% of the federal poverty level pay $1.60 generic and $4.90 brand. People in a nursing home or certain home-and-community-based services often pay $0. After you reach the $2,100 out-of-pocket threshold for 2026, Extra Help copays for covered Part D drugs are generally $0 for the rest of the calendar year.
No Extra Help
Without Extra Help, the 2026 defined standard Part D benefit includes a $615 deductible, then 25% coinsurance until the $2,100 cap. After the cap, covered Part D drugs are generally $0 for the rest of the year. Premiums usually do not count toward the cap.
How to apply
If you have Medi-Cal, SSI, or a Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help is often automatic. Otherwise apply with Social Security. Use the Extra Help screener on this site as a sketch, then apply — this website does not decide.
Common questions
Choose a question. The answer stays until you press Back or Next.
Is there still partial Extra Help?
The old partial Extra Help 15% coinsurance was replaced in 2024. Extra Help at the postcard limits is generally full Extra Help, with copay levels that still differ.
Do Extra Help copays continue after I hit $2,100?
For covered Part D drugs, copays are generally $0 for the rest of the calendar year after the 2026 out-of-pocket threshold. Confirm with the plan and Medicare.gov.
My Medicare Checkup
Answer a few questions about your ZIP code, what matters about cost and doctors, and where you get care. The summary shows the questions those answers raise. Confirm each one with the office, the plan, or Medicare.gov. A listing in a directory, or the name of a plan, does not show whether a doctor is in the network, whether a prescription is covered, or what you would pay this year.
Start My Medicare CheckupYou will get a summary of the questions to verify. You can also talk it through with Alan.
For the other pages on this topic, open the Lowering Medicare costs guide.
Screener
Extra Help copay sketch
2026 Extra Help is generally full Extra Help. Compare copay levels — including $0 after the cap.