Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid-administered programs for people on Medicare who have limited income and resources. These programs help those qualified to afford Medicare. If eligible, Qualified Medicare Benefit (QMB) will cover the Medicare premiums (Part A, if applicable), deductibles, copayments and/or coinsurance.
- If you are 65 or older
- Receive Social Security Disability benefits
- Have certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure (even if you're under 65)
- Meet standard income and resource requirements.
You can view the income limits for the Medicaid Saving Program and other Medicaid programs on the income guidelines page.
Medicare Savings Programs
The QMB program helps you pay for Medicare costs if you have lower income and resources.
Specifically, the program pays for:
- Part B premiums, co-insurance, deductible and allowable on Medicare crossover claims.
- Part A Premiums under certain circumstances.
Extra Help:
If you qualify for the QMB program, you’ll also qualify for extra help. This is a program that helps to pay for the costs associated with a Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D). Extra Help covers things like:
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles
- Copays for prescriptions
Some pharmacies may still charge a small copay for prescriptions that are covered under Part D.
Extra Help only applies to Medicare Part D. It doesn’t cover premiums and costs associated with Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB) is a Medicaid program that will cover your Medicare Part B premiums if you have limited resources, an income below the poverty line, and are already receiving Medicare Part A.
People who qualify as an SLMB don't have to pay the Medicare Part B premium themselves, as Medicaid pays it instead. And these beneficiaries are also automatically eligible for Extra Help paying for Part D prescription coverage.
Extra Help:
If you qualify for the SLMB program, you’ll also qualify for extra help. This is a program that helps to pay for the costs associated with a Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D). Extra Help covers things like:
- Monthly premiums
- Deductibles
- Copays for prescriptions
Some pharmacies may still charge a small copay for prescriptions that are covered under Part D.
Extra Help only applies to Medicare Part D. It doesn’t cover premiums and costs associated with Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) or Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) plans.
The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program is one of the four Medicare Savings Programs that allows you to get help from your state to pay your Medicare premiums. This Program helps pay for Part B premiums only.