How to Apply for a Medicare Savings Program to Help Pay Medicare Costs

What can a Medicare Savings Program pay for?

Medicare Savings Programs, commonly called MSPs, are state-administered programs that help people with limited income and resources pay certain Medicare Part A and Part B costs. There are four main programs: QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI.

The benefit depends on the program for which your state finds you eligible. QMB provides the broadest Medicare cost assistance. SLMB and QI focus on the Part B premium, while QDWI is designed for certain disabled people who returned to work and need help with the Part A premium.

What does the QMB Program pay?

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program helps pay the Part A premium if you do not have premium-free Part A, the Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for Medicare-covered services and items.

If you are enrolled in QMB, Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for Medicare-covered services and items for deductibles, coinsurance or copayments. A small Medicaid copayment may apply in some circumstances.

For 2026, the federal QMB monthly income standards in the states and District of Columbia other than Alaska and Hawaii are $1,350 for an individual and $1,824 for a married couple. The corresponding federal resource standards are $9,950 and $14,910. Alaska and Hawaii have higher federal income standards: $1,683/$2,275 in Alaska and $1,550/$2,095 in Hawaii for an individual/married couple.

What does the SLMB Program pay?

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program pays the Medicare Part B premium. Medicare.gov states that you must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.

For 2026, the federal monthly income standards outside Alaska and Hawaii are $1,616 for an individual and $2,184 for a married couple. The federal resource standards are $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a married couple.

The 2026 federal monthly income standards are $2,015/$2,725 in Alaska and $1,856/$2,509 in Hawaii for an individual/married couple.

What does the QI Program pay?

The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program pays the Medicare Part B premium. Medicare.gov states that you must have both Part A and Part B to qualify, and QI is only available to people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits.

For 2026, the federal monthly income standards outside Alaska and Hawaii are $1,816 for an individual and $2,455 for a married couple. The federal resource standards are $9,950 and $14,910 respectively. The federal monthly income standards are $2,265/$3,064 in Alaska and $2,086/$2,821 in Hawaii.

QI has an important procedural difference: you must apply every year to stay in the QI Program. States approve QI applications on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority for people who received QI benefits during the previous year. CMS explains that QI coverage is provided to the extent a state's federally funded allotment has available slots.

What does the QDWI Program pay?

The Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) Program pays the Medicare Part A premium only.

Medicare states that you may qualify if you have a disability, are working, and lost your Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Medicare Part A because you returned to work. CMS also describes QDWI beneficiaries as not otherwise eligible for Medicaid.

For 2026, the federal monthly income standards outside Alaska and Hawaii are $5,405 for an individual and $7,299 for a married couple. The resource standards are $4,000 and $6,000. Federal monthly income standards are $6,735/$9,102 in Alaska and $6,205/$8,382 in Hawaii.

What are the 2026 federal income and resource limits?

These figures are the 2026 federal standards for the states and District of Columbia other than Alaska and Hawaii. Do not use this table as an automatic denial test. Medicare states that you may qualify in your state even if your income or resources are above the listed federal limits. Some states do not count certain types or amounts of income or resources, and CMS explains that states can raise the federal QMB, SLMB and QI standards through disregards.

Are the income limits different in Alaska and Hawaii?

Yes. Federal income standards are higher in Alaska and Hawaii. For 2026, Medicaid.gov lists individual/couple monthly standards of $1,683/$2,275 for QMB in Alaska and $1,550/$2,095 in Hawaii; $2,015/$2,725 for SLMB in Alaska and $1,856/$2,509 in Hawaii; $2,265/$3,064 for QI in Alaska and $2,086/$2,821 in Hawaii; and $6,735/$9,102 for QDWI in Alaska and $6,205/$8,382 in Hawaii.

The federal resource standards shown for 2026 remain $9,950/$14,910 for QMB, SLMB and QI and $4,000/$6,000 for QDWI.

What resources count when you apply?

Resource rules are part of the MSP eligibility determination, but the way they affect you can depend on the program and state. Medicare specifically warns that some states do not count certain types or specific amounts of resources when deciding whether someone qualifies.

CMS further explains that income and asset guidelines vary by state and that some states do not count assets when determining MSP eligibility. Because of these state variations, use the federal resource figures as a screening reference rather than assuming that being above them makes you ineligible.

Where do you apply for a Medicare Savings Program?

You apply through your state. Medicare.gov directs applicants to contact their state because Medicare Savings Programs are run by state Medicaid agencies. When you apply, the state determines which program or programs you qualify for.

There is no single national MSP application route that replaces the state application process. Application methods and verification procedures can therefore differ by state. Contact your State Medical Assistance or Medicaid office and follow its current instructions.

If your immediate issue is enrolling in Medicare Part B after losing employer-based coverage rather than getting help paying Medicare costs, use the separate Helpydo guide to signing up for Medicare Part B after losing job-based health coverage.

What information will your state ask for?

Medicare's national guidance does not provide one universal document checklist that applies identically to every state application. Your state determines the application procedure and verifies whether you meet the applicable Medicare, income, resource and program-specific requirements.

Follow the checklist on your state's current application rather than relying on another state's requirements. Be prepared to provide the information the state requests to establish your identity, Medicare status, household or marital circumstances, income, resources and any special eligibility condition relevant to the program.

Does a Medicare Savings Program also qualify you for Extra Help?

Medicare states that people who qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI also get Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs. This is separate from the MSP's assistance with Part A or Part B costs.

In 2026, Medicare.gov states that people in QMB, SLMB or QI who have Medicare drug coverage pay no more than $12.65 for each drug covered by their Medicare drug plan, subject to the applicable Extra Help rules.

What if a provider bills you while you have QMB?

If you have QMB, Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. Medicare says a small Medicaid copayment may apply if required by the state.

Show both your Medicare card and Medicaid or QMB card when you receive care. If you have Original Medicare, your Medicare Summary Notice can also show that you are enrolled in QMB. If a provider improperly bills you for Medicare cost-sharing, Medicare's guidance says to tell the provider or debt collector that you are in QMB; Medicare can also confirm your enrollment.

Should you apply if your income seems too high?

Yes, if you otherwise appear to need MSP assistance, it can still be worthwhile to have your state determine eligibility. Medicare explicitly advises people to apply even when they do not think they qualify because state eligibility rules can be more generous than the federal limits shown on Medicare.gov.

This is particularly important if you have earnings from work or live in a state that disregards additional income or resources. The state, not a national screening table, makes the actual eligibility determination.

Common mistakes when applying for an MSP

• Do not assume all four programs pay the same Medicare costs. QMB covers substantially more cost-sharing than SLMB or QI, while QDWI addresses the Part A premium for a specific working-disabled population.
• Do not treat the national income table as an automatic denial if you are slightly above a federal figure. State rules may be more generous.
• Do not use the standard-state income figures if you live in Alaska or Hawaii; their federal income standards are higher.
• Do not forget to apply every year if you receive QI.
• Do not assume QI is available alongside other Medicaid coverage; Medicare states that QI is only for people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits.
• If you have QMB, do not pay Medicare deductibles, coinsurance or copayments simply because a provider sends a bill. QMB beneficiaries have federal billing protections for Medicare-covered services and items.