Medicare · October 15 – December 7
Medicare Open Enrollment is also the time to check for help paying Medicare costs
Each fall, people with Medicare compare plans. Fewer know that two government programs can pay the Part B premium and most drug costs. Both are open all year, and many people who qualify never apply.
What Open Enrollment is for
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or back
- Switch or join a Part D prescription drug plan
- Compare next year's plan costs and coverage with free help from a SHIP counselor
What it is not: a deadline for the two programs below. Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help take applications any day of the year. The fall is simply when most people are already looking at their Medicare costs.
Two programs most people miss
Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI)
Worth about $2,400–$3,500/yr
Your state Medicaid office pays your Medicare Part B premium, about $203 a month in 2026. The QMB level also pays deductibles and copays, so most doctor and hospital bills drop to zero. Anyone enrolled also gets Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
- Income: up to about $1,816 a month for one person, or $2,455 for a couple, for the widest level. The QMB level starts at about $1,350 / $1,824.
- Savings: up to about $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a couple. Your home and one car do not count. Some states have no savings limit at all.
- Where: your state Medicaid office, or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Extra Help with Part D drug costs
Worth about $4,000–$5,300/yr
Social Security pays most of your Part D premium and deductible, and caps what you pay for each prescription at a few dollars. It also removes the late-enrollment penalty.
- Income: up to about $1,956 a month for one person, or $2,644 for a couple.
- Savings: up to about $18,090 for one person or $36,100 for a couple.
- Where: apply online at Social Security, or call 1-800-772-1213. The form takes about 15 minutes.
Limits shown are the 2026 federal figures, rounded. States can set higher limits. A rough income and savings number is all the check needs.
Your state may be more generous
Several states raise the income limits or drop the savings limit for Medicare Savings Programs. These are the state programs in the catalog, each linked to its official source.
States not listed use the federal limits above. The full list of covered states is at benefits by state.
Free, unbiased help choosing a plan
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Every state has a SHIP: trained counselors who compare Medicare plans with you, explain the costs, and help with Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help forms. They do not sell insurance and there is no charge.
Find your local SHIP: 1-800-677-1116
Common questions
Is December 7 the deadline to apply for a Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help?
What happens if I miss the December 7 date?
Do I have to reapply every year?
Does a Medicare Savings Program affect Medicaid?
Can an adult child or caregiver apply for a parent?
Is the eligibility check free?
See if a Medicare Savings Program, Extra Help, or other programs apply to you. Free, about five minutes, no Social Security number.
Find my benefitsNot a government agency. Not legal or financial advice. Every program links to its official source; the agency makes the final eligibility decision.