Extra Help
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan page is at /glossary/medicare-prescription-payment-plan. This page does not check whether a person qualifies.
Source: Medicare.gov, Help with drug costs. Page read October 14, 2026.
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Definition
Extra Help
Extra Help, also called the Low Income Subsidy, lowers Part D premiums, deductibles, and drug costs for people who qualify by income and resources. Social Security and Medicaid take applications. It is not the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which spreads costs across the year for people who do not get Extra Help.
Questions
Extra Help, answered
Is Extra Help the same as the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan?
No. Extra Help is a subsidy for people who qualify by income. The payment plan lets other people spread Part D costs across the calendar year.