: For 2026, most enrollees will pay no more than $5.10 for generic drugs and $12.65 for brand-name drugs [24].
: It can eliminate or significantly reduce Part D premiums and annual deductibles [17, 24].
: If you are eligible for Extra Help, you will not have to pay a late enrollment penalty for Part D [8, 10].
An approved LIS application can provide significant savings, estimated at an average value of [17]. These features include:
The application, often called "Extra Help," offers several features designed to simplify access to financial assistance for prescription drugs. Key Application Features
: If you already receive Medicaid, help from your state paying Medicare premiums (Medicare Savings Programs), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) , you are often automatically enrolled without needing a separate application [17, 21].
: Once your application is approved, you gain a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to join or switch your Medicare drug plan once per calendar quarter [7, 8]. Financial Benefits
