You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions. These conditions are listed below under "How do I apply for Medicare Savings Programs?"
4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs
Select a program name below for details about each Medicare Savings Program. If you have income from working, you still may qualify for these 4 programs even if your income is higher than the income limits listed for each program.
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
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QMB income & resource limits in 2022:
Individual monthly income limit*
$1,153
Married couple monthly income limit*
$1,546
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.
Individual resource limit
$8,400
Married couple resource limit
$12,600
Program helps pay for:
Part A premiums, Part B premiums, and deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for services and items Medicare covers
Other things to know about the QMB Program:
Medicare providers aren’t allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, except outpatient drugs. Pharmacists may charge you up to a limited amount (no more than $4.00 in 2022) for prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D.
- If you get a bill for Medicare charges: Tell your provider or the debt collector that you’re in the QMB Program and can’t be charged for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- If you already made payments on a bill for services and items Medicare covers: You have the right to a refund.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan: Contact the plan to ask them to stop the charges.
In some cases, you may be billed a small copayment through Medicaid, if one applies.
If your provider won't stop billing you, call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY: 1-877-486-2048. - Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
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The SLMB Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources.
SLMB income & resource limits in 2022:
Individual monthly income limit*
$1,379
Married couple monthly income limit*
$1,851
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.
Individual resource limit
$8,400
Married couple resource limit
$12,600
Program helps pay for:
Part B premiums only
- Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
-
The QI Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources. You must apply every year for QI
. QI applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefits the previous year. (You can't get QI benefits if you qualify for Medicaid).
QI income & resource limits in 2022:
Individual monthly income limit*
$1,549
Married couple monthly income limit*
$2,080
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.
Individual resource limit
$8,400
Married couple resource limit
$12,600
Program helps pay for:
Part B premiums only
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program
-
The QDWI program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if all of these apply to you:
- You have a disability.
- You're working.
- You lost your Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A because you returned to work.
QDWI income & resource limits in 2022:
Individual monthly income limit*
$4,615
Married couple monthly income limit*
$6,189
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. If you have income from working, you may qualify for benefits even if your income is higher than the limits listed.
Individual resource limit
$4,000
Married couple resource limit
$6,000
Program helps pay for:
Part A premiums only
If you qualify for the QMB program, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare drug coverage.
What items are included in the Medicare Savings Program resource limits?
Countable resources include:
- Money in a checking or savings account
- Stocks
- Bonds
Countable resources don't include:
- Your home
- One car
- Burial plot
- Up to $1,500 for burial expenses if you have put that money aside
- Furniture
- Other household and personal items
How do I apply for Medicare Savings Programs?
If you answer yes to these 3 questions, call your State Medicaid Program to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state:
- Do you have, or are you eligible for, Part A?
- Is your income for 2022 at, or below, the income limits listed for any of the programs above?
- Do you have limited resources, below the limits above?
It's important to call or fill out an application if you think you could qualify for savings—even if your income or resources are higher than the amounts listed here. To find the contact information for your Medicaid office, select your state and then choose "Other insurance programs" from the menu on the left.