Medicare Savings Programs, explained.
Four state-run programs help seniors with limited income pay their Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance.
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The four programs
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary). Pays Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Most generous.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary). Pays Part B premiums.
- QI (Qualifying Individual). Pays Part B premiums (limited funding, first come first served).
- QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual). Pays Part A premiums for working people with disabilities.
Who qualifies
Income and asset limits change every year and vary by state. Roughly, QMB requires income at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. SLMB allows up to 120%, QI up to 135%. Most states have an asset test (cash, stocks, bonds) above modest amounts, but a few states have dropped the asset test.
Some states use higher limits or have additional savings programs not listed here. Apply through your state Medicaid office or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
How it connects to Extra Help
If you qualify for any of these four programs, you automatically qualify for Extra Help (the Low Income Subsidy), which lowers your Part D drug costs.
That means qualifying for MSP is the single biggest move for someone with limited income — it can dramatically lower premiums, copays, and drug costs in one application.