The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) assists with health care costs for eligible Medicare beneficiaries. Learn more about Medicare Counseling and Education here.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
Who qualifies? Those at 100% of Federal Poverty Level plus the $20 disregard qualify.
What is covered? QMB pays the Medicare Part B premium. It takes the place of a Medicare supplement (pays copays, deductibles, and coinsurance) and includes automatic eligibility for Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS).
Resource Limits: $11,160 Individual or $17,470 Couple
Monthly Income Limits: $1,325 Individual or $1,783 Couple
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
Who qualifies? Those at 120% Federal Poverty Level plus the $20 disregard qualify.
What is covered? SLMB pays the Medicare Part B premium. SLMB includes automatic eligibility for Extra Help/LIS.
Resource Limits: $11,160 Individual or $17,470 Couple
Monthly Income Limits: $1,585 Individual or $2,135 Couple
Qualified Individuals (QI-1)
Who qualifies? Those at 135% Federal Poverty Level plus the $20 disregard qualify.
What is covered? QI-1 pays the Medicare Part B premium. QI-1 includes automatic eligibility for Extra Help/LIS.
Resource Limits: $11,160 Individual or $17,470 Couple
Monthly Income Limits: $1,781 Individual or $2,400 Couple
Medicare Part D “Extra Help” Program/Low-Income Subsidy (Extra Help/LIS)
All Extra Help/LIS income limits listed include the $20 unearned income disregard. All Extra Help/LIS resource limits include $1,500 individual/$3,000 couple burial inclusion. Income limits for Extra Help/LIS are for screening purposes. Countable assets do not include the home, personal vehicle, burial plots, or personal possessions.
Who qualifies? Those who have full Medicaid coverage, have MSP, or receive Supplemental Security Income payments from Social Security qualify.
What is covered? The Extra Help Program pays Part D premiums up to $36.78 per month and eliminates prescription deductibles.
Resource Limits: $17,600 Individual or $35,130 Couple
Monthly Income Limits: $1,976 Individual or $2,664 Couple
