Medicare.gov

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.

What's a premium, deductible, coinsurance, or copayment?

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 in your state even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or resources when deciding who qualifies.

Contact Your State

 

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 2024:

Your situation:Monthly income limit:*Resource limit:
What counts in resource limits?
Individual$1,275$9,430
Married couple$1,724$14,130

* Income limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You may qualify in other states for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Contact your state to find out.

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 should I do if I 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 $11.20 in 2024 for each drug covered by your Medicare drug plan.
Show both your Medicare card and Medicaid card (or QMB card) each time you get care. If you have Original Medicare, you can also show one of your claims statements, called Medicare Summary Notices. These statements show you’re in the QMB program. Get a sample of a Medicare Summary Notice.

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 2024:

Your situation:Monthly income limit:*Resource limit:
What counts in resource limits?
Individual$1,526$9,430
Married couple$2,064$14,130

* Income limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You may qualify in other states for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Contact your state to find out.

If you qualify for the SLMB Program: 

  • You’ll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs.
  • You’ll pay no more than $11.20 in 2024 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 2024:

Your situation:Monthly income limit:*Resource limit:
What counts in resource limits?
Individual$1,715$9,430
Married couple$2,320$14,130

* Income limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You may qualify in other states for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Contact your state to find out.

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 $11.20 in 2024 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers

QI is only available for people who don't qualify for any other Medicaid coverage or benefits, 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 2024:

Your situation:Monthly income limit:*Resource limit:
What counts in resource limits?
Individual$5,105$4,000
Married couple$6,899$6,000

* Income limits slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. You may qualify in other states for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits listed. Contact your state to find out.

How to apply for a Medicare Savings Program

These programs are run by your state. Contact your state to apply.

What do you want to do next?