Medicare Savings Programs are state-run programs that pay some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, and in some cases your deductibles and copays too. Alongside them, a separate federal benefit called Extra Help lowers what you pay for Part D prescriptions. If your monthly income is under roughly $1,816 as a single person, or $2,455 as a couple, in 2026, you may qualify for one of the savings programs, and the limits are higher in some states.
Key Takeaways
- There are four Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI. Each has its own income limit and pays a different slice of your costs.
- Extra Help (also called the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) is a different program that reduces drug plan premiums, deductibles and copays.
- If you are approved for a Medicare Savings Program, you are generally enrolled in Extra Help automatically.
- The figures below are 2026 federal numbers and change each year. Many states are more generous, and some drop the asset test entirely.
- Millions of eligible people never apply, so a short screening can be worth the effort.
What Medicare Savings Programs Actually Do
Medicare is not free for most people. Part B charges a monthly premium (about $203 for most enrollees in 2026) plus a yearly deductible and a share of each bill. Part A is premium-free for people with enough work history, but some people have to buy it. These costs add up quickly on a fixed income.
The savings programs are run by your state’s Medicaid agency, and they step in as a payer. Instead of you paying the Part B premium out of your Social Security check, the state pays it. That alone can put well over $2,000 a year back in your pocket. Some programs go further and cover the cost sharing that follows each visit.
They are different from full Medicaid. You can qualify for a savings program without qualifying for Medicaid’s broader benefits. For a look at the larger program, see our guide to Medicaid eligibility and income limits.
The Four Medicare Savings Programs Compared
The table shows the 2026 federal monthly income limits listed by Medicare. Income limits are for the person’s countable income, and Alaska and Hawaii have somewhat higher thresholds. Your state may use more generous rules.
| Program | Single income limit (monthly) | Married income limit (monthly) | What it helps pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,350 | $1,824 | Part A premium if you owe one, Part B premium, deductibles, coinsurance and copays |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,616 | $2,184 | Part B premium |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | $1,816 | $2,455 | Part B premium |
| QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual) | $5,405 | $7,299 | Part A premium for certain working people with disabilities |
The federal resource (asset) limits listed for the first three programs are $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple. QDWI has lower limits. Resources typically include bank accounts and investments, but not your home, one car or personal belongings. Several states have removed the asset test, so check locally.
QMB: the most complete help
QMB pays your Part B premium and also covers the deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered services. Providers who accept Medicare are generally not allowed to bill QMB members for those amounts. If a provider sends you a bill for a Medicare-covered service, tell your state Medicaid office or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
SLMB and QI: premium help
SLMB and QI both pay the Part B premium, but not the cost sharing. SLMB can sometimes reach back up to three months before your application date. QI funding is limited, and a state serves applicants in the order they apply. You cannot have QI and full Medicaid at once.
QDWI: a narrow program
QDWI is for people under 65 who lost premium-free Part A after returning to work despite a disability. It pays only the Part A premium and applies to a small group.
Extra Help With Part D Costs
Extra Help is administered by Social Security and Medicare, not your state. It reduces what you pay for a Medicare drug plan: premiums, deductibles and copays. In 2026 the income cutoff for a single person is roughly $2,000 a month and for a married couple around $2,700 a month, with resource limits near $18,000 for one person and $36,000 for a couple. Those figures include certain burial funds, and the exact numbers are on Social Security’s site.
For many people, the copays are a flat small amount per prescription, with a lower maximum for generics than for brand-name drugs. Because the benefit also removes the coverage gap and reduces catastrophic-stage cost sharing, it helps most if you take several medicines. To learn how Part D works before you apply, read our guide on Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, and see how to lower prescription drug costs for other money-saving options.
How the two benefits connect
If you qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, or you get full Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you are generally deemed eligible for Extra Help without a separate application. Deeming lasts through the end of the calendar year, and you may be re-evaluated for the next year. You can also apply for Extra Help directly even if you do not get a savings program.
Who Can Apply for Medicare Savings Programs
To get a Medicare Savings Program you must be eligible for Medicare Part A, meet your state’s income and resource rules, and live in the state where you apply. QMB covers people with Part A even if they do not yet have Part B, in many states through a “buy-in” arrangement. SLMB and QI require both Part A and Part B.
Your state may count income differently than you expect. Most states disregard a small amount of income, and some do not count certain items. In general, Social Security, pensions and wages count. Some states ignore the value of a retirement account or life insurance. This is why a person who looks over the limit on paper sometimes still qualifies.
How to Apply for Medicare Savings Programs, Step by Step
- Gather your documents. Have your Medicare card, Social Security number, proof of income (benefit letters, pay stubs or pension statements), and recent bank statements ready.
- Find your state’s application. Search for your state Medicaid agency or call the local office. The application may be online, by mail or in person.
- Ask for the Medicare Savings Program by name. Say you want to be screened for QMB, SLMB or QI so the worker does not look only at full Medicaid.
- Apply for Extra Help too. Use Social Security’s application if you do not receive deemed status, which can be done online or by phone.
- Respond to follow-up requests quickly. Missing paperwork is a common reason for delays or denials.
- Watch for the first notice. Approval letters list your program, effective date and any renewal deadline.
Free counseling is available through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Counselors are trained volunteers or staff who do not sell insurance, and they can help you complete the forms.
A Worked Example With Illustrative Numbers
Consider Dorothy, a widowed retiree with $1,700 a month in Social Security and about $6,000 in savings. Her income is above the QMB and SLMB limits shown above but under the QI limit of $1,816. If her state follows the federal numbers, she may qualify for QI, which would pay her roughly $203 monthly Part B premium. That is around $2,400 a year she no longer sees deducted from her Social Security.
Because QI approval typically means she is deemed eligible for Extra Help, her prescription copays would also drop for the rest of the year. These figures are illustrations, not a promise of eligibility, and a state may count income and assets differently.
What Happens After Medicare Savings Programs Approve You
Once your state approves you, a few practical changes follow. For SLMB and QI, the Part B premium stops being deducted from your Social Security payment, and the state pays it. The change often shows up within a few months, and in some cases you receive a lump-sum refund for months the state covered retroactively. Check your benefit statement to confirm the new amount.
If you buy a Medigap policy, a savings program does not pay that premium. Medicare Advantage members should also remember that the plan’s premium, if it has one, is separate from the Part B premium the state pays. Keep your approval letter, because pharmacies and providers occasionally need proof when a claim is processed incorrectly.
Finally, put the renewal date on your calendar. States review eligibility periodically, and a missed form is the most common way people lose benefits they were entitled to keep.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming you earn too much. Small income disregards and state variations mean the only way to know is to apply.
- Skipping the renewal. Most states ask you to recertify yearly. Missing the notice can end your benefits.
- Confusing Extra Help with a savings program. They are separate. One may help even if the other does not.
- Ignoring Medicare Advantage rules. If you are in an Advantage plan, a savings program still pays your Part B premium, but your plan’s own copays and network rules apply. If you are choosing between plan types, see Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare.
- Paying a bill you should not owe. QMB members generally should not be billed for Medicare cost sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Medicare Savings Programs QMB, SLMB and QI?
QMB has the lowest income limit and pays the most, including deductibles and copays. SLMB and QI have higher income limits and pay only the Part B premium.
Do I have to apply for Extra Help separately?
Not if you get a Medicare Savings Program, full Medicaid or SSI, because you are generally enrolled automatically. Otherwise, you can apply through Social Security.
Does my home count as an asset?
No. Your primary home, one vehicle and personal belongings are generally excluded, though states vary on other items.
Can I qualify if I own a retirement account?
Possibly. Countable resources vary by state, and some states have no asset test. Check with your state Medicaid office or SHIP.
How long does approval take?
It varies by state, often several weeks. QMB coverage typically begins the month after approval, while SLMB may be retroactive for up to three months.
Will I lose benefits if my income rises slightly?
You may move from one program to another, such as from QMB to SLMB, or lose eligibility if you exceed the highest limit. Report income changes as your state requires.
Are the limits the same every year?
No. They are updated annually, and the 2026 figures here may change. Confirm current numbers on Medicare.gov before applying.
Is there a cost to apply for Medicare Savings Programs?
No. Applications are free. Be cautious about any company that asks for payment to enroll you in these programs.
Bottom Line
Medicare Savings Programs can quietly shrink one of the biggest recurring costs for people on a limited income, the Part B premium, and the best-known program, QMB, can cover far more. Extra Help does similar work for prescriptions. If your income is near the limits listed here, apply rather than guess, because state rules are often kinder than the federal baseline. Start with your state Medicaid office or SHIP counselor, and confirm the current figures on Medicare.gov.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Coverage rules, costs and guidelines change and vary by plan and state — consult a licensed healthcare professional or your insurer for guidance specific to your situation.
