Can I Get Help Paying Medicare Costs in Polk County?

By David Huff, licensed Florida health insurance agent #W371813 · Updated October 8, 2026

CMS’s Florida 2027 landscape sheet says 23.50% of stand-alone Part D enrollees in the state get Extra Help. CMS also reminds people that a Medicare Savings Program brings Extra Help automatically. KFF reported that without Extra Help there are no $0-premium stand-alone drug plans in 2027. This page is educational. It does not determine eligibility.

Two programs, two applications

Extra Help is a Medicare program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles, and pharmacy costs. Apply through Social Security. Medicare.gov says people with full-benefit Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI get Extra Help automatically.

Medicare Savings Programs are state programs. In Florida they are handled by the Department of Children and Families through ACCESS Florida. Depending on the program, they can pay the Part B premium and, for Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), other Medicare cost sharing.

Who should check, and the current-year limits

Medicare.gov published these 2026 Extra Help limits (accessed October 4, 2026). Limits can change each year. Confirm them on the official page before you apply or decide not to apply.

Medicare.gov’s 2026 federal Medicare Savings Program limits (monthly income / resources) are:

• QMB: $1,350 / $9,950 individual; $1,824 / $14,910 couple. Pays Part A (if owed) and Part B premiums plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services.
• SLMB: $1,616 / $9,950 individual; $2,184 / $14,910 couple. Pays Part B premiums.
• QI: $1,816 / $9,950 individual; $2,455 / $14,910 couple. Pays Part B premiums; must apply each year; first-come, first-served.

Medicare.gov says some states count income or resources differently, and a household can still be approved above the federal figures. Florida DCF makes the Medicare Savings Program decision. Do not skip an application because a worksheet looks close.

What each program pays

Medicare.gov lists 2027 Extra Help pharmacy costs as $0 plan premium, $0 deductible, then up to $5.80 for each generic and $14.40 for each brand-name drug at a participating pharmacy, until total drug costs (including certain payments made on your behalf) reach $2,400. After that, covered drugs are $0. People with full Medicaid and QMB may pay no more than $4.90 per covered drug.

A Medicare Savings Program can pay the Part B premium. QMB also limits what providers can bill you for Medicare-covered services. See losing Medicaid in Florida if Medicaid status is changing, and Polk HealthCare Plan eligibility if you are comparing county coverage with other options.

MSP gets you Extra Help automatically

CMS’s September 28, 2026 press release and Medicare.gov both state that people in a Medicare Savings Program get Extra Help automatically. You do not file a second Extra Help application for that automatic path. Keep the notices from Social Security, Medicare, and DCF.

How this interacts with givebacks and plan choice

A Part B giveback only reduces a Part B premium you would otherwise pay. If a Medicare Savings Program already pays that premium, the giveback generally does not add cash. Extra Help still changes which drug plan is cheapest. Compare plans on Medicare Plan Finder after Extra Help or MSP is on file. See the Medicare hub and local Medicare plan help.

Where to apply in Polk, and what an agent can and can't do

Apply for Extra Help with Social Security. Apply for a Medicare Savings Program with Florida DCF / ACCESS Florida. David Huff is a licensed Florida health insurance agent (FL #W371813). He can help you read notices, assemble a document list, and compare plans after a decision. He cannot approve Extra Help, decide a DCF case, or file ACCESS as the state agency. Medicare is discussed for Florida residents only.

If a late Part B or Part D penalty is already in place, Extra Help can stop a Part D late-enrollment penalty while Extra Help continues. See the late Medicare sign-up penalty.

Related reading

• Medicare help in Lakeland
• Losing Medicaid in Florida
• What is the penalty for late Medicare sign-up?
• Polk HealthCare Plan eligibility
• Local Medicare plan help
• Request a plan review

Common questions

What's the difference between Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program?

Extra Help is a Medicare program, applied for through Social Security, that lowers Part D premiums and drug costs. A Medicare Savings Program is run by Florida DCF and can pay the Part B premium and, in some cases, other Medicare cost sharing. Approval for a Medicare Savings Program also gets Extra Help automatically.

Where do I apply in Florida?

Apply for Extra Help with Social Security at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help or by calling Social Security. Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through Florida DCF / ACCESS Florida. A licensed Florida health agent can help you organize documents and choose a plan after a decision. The agent cannot decide DCF or Social Security eligibility.

Do I lose a giveback if a Medicare Savings Program pays my Part B premium?

A Part B giveback reduces the Part B premium you would otherwise pay. If a Medicare Savings Program already pays that premium, the giveback generally does not add extra money. The Medicare Savings Program benefit is usually the one that matters in that situation.

Can I change drug plans more often with Extra Help?

Medicare.gov says that if you have Medicaid or get Extra Help, you may be able to change your drug coverage once per month. Confirm the current rule on the Extra Help and Special Enrollment Period pages before you switch.

Will applying change my current coverage?

Applying for Extra Help or a Medicare Savings Program does not by itself enroll you in a new Medicare Advantage or drug plan. Medicare.gov says some people who get Extra Help are enrolled in a drug plan if they do not already have one. Read every notice before you assume your plan stayed the same.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 65 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 8 organizations which offer 65 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Company inventory note: The counts above reflect the licensed company inventory for the 2027 plan year in the Lakeland/Polk County service area, confirmed for ZIP 33812, as of October 1, 2026. They are not CMS counts or statewide Florida totals. Counts and available products vary by ZIP code, service area, plan year, and current company authorization. Confirm the ZIP code and current approved platform inventory before relying on these figures. Plan availability, benefits, networks, formularies, pharmacies, and costs are subject to the applicable plan documents and service area.

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