Medicare Savings Programs
Get help from your state paying your Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) premiums through a Medicare Savings Program. If you qualify, Medicare Savings Programs might also pay your Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
You’ll apply for Medicare Savings Programs through your state. When you apply, your state determines which program(s) you qualify for. Even if you don’t think you qualify, you should still apply.
How to qualify for the 4 Medicare Savings Programs
In many cases, to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you must have income and resources below a certain limit, as described below. These limits go up each year.
You may still qualify for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the limits listed. Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or resources when deciding who qualifies.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Helps pay for: Part A premiums; Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (for services and items Medicare covers).
Monthly income and resource limits for 2022:
| Your situation: | Monthly income limit:* | Resource limit: What counts in resource limits? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $1,153 | $8,400 |
| Married couple | $1,546 | $12,600 |
* Limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii
If you qualify for the QMB program:
- Medicare providers aren’t allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. What to do if you get a bill
- You may get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment, if one applies.
- You'll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs. You’ll pay no more than $4 in 2022 for each drug covered by your Medicare drug plan.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
Helps pay for: Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)
Monthly income and resource limits for 2022:
| Your situation: | Monthly income limit:* | Resource limit: What counts in resource limits? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $1,379 | $8,400 |
| Married couple | $1,851 | $12,600 |
* Limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii
If you qualify for the SLMB Program:
- You’ll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs.
- You’ll pay no more than $9.85 in 2022 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers.
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
Helps pay for: Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)
Monthly income and resource limits for 2022:
| Your situation: | Monthly income limit:* | Resource limit: What counts in resource limits? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $1,549 | $8,400 |
| Married couple | $2,080 | $12,600 |
* Limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii
If you qualify for the QI program:
- You must apply every year to stay in the QI Program.
- States approve applications on a first-come, first-served basis – priority is given to people who got QI benefits the previous year.
- You’ll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs. You’ll pay no more than $9.85 in 2022 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers
If you qualify for Medicaid , you can't get help from the QI program, but you may qualify for help from another Medicare Savings Program.
Qualified Disabled Working Individual (QDWI) Program
You may qualify for the QDWI Program if you:
- Have a disability
- Are working
- Lost Your Social Security disability benefits and Medicare premium-free Part A because you returned to work
Helps pay for: Part A premiums only
Monthly income and resource limits for 2022:
| Your situation: | Monthly income limit:* | Resource limit: What counts in resource limits? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | $4,615 | $4,000 |
| Married couple | $6,189 | $6,000 |
* Limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii
How to apply for a Medicare Savings Program
What do you want to do next?
- Next Step: Lower your drug costs
- Take Action: Talk to someone
- Get details: Learn about Medicaid