The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), better known as Extra Help, is one of the most valuable — and most underused — programs in Medicare. If you qualify, it can dramatically reduce or nearly eliminate what you pay for Part D prescription drug coverage. Many New Yorkers who are eligible never apply, simply because no one told them it exists.
What Extra Help Can Do
- Pay some or all of your Part D monthly premium
- Reduce or eliminate your annual drug deductible
- Cap your copays at low fixed amounts
- Remove the Part D late-enrollment penalty if you have one
You may qualify automatically if you have Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Even if not, the income limits are higher than most people expect — and New York's own EPIC program can help too. Read more in Understanding Medicare Part D.
How The Pane Agency Helps
It costs nothing to check. We'll look at whether you qualify for Extra Help (and EPIC), help you apply, and make sure your drug plan is the right match afterward — free, with no obligation.
This page is for general education only. Income and resource limits are set by the Social Security Administration and change annually. For official information visit ssa.gov/extrahelp or Medicare.gov.