What is the Medicare Savings Program?

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) at 100% FPL pays Part A premium, Part B premium, and Medicare cost-sharing. SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) at 120% FPL pays the Part B premium only. QI (Qualifying Individual) at 135% FPL pays the Part B premium only on a first-come-first-served basis. QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual) at 200% FPL pays the Part A premium for disabled people who returned to work and lost premium-free Part A.

Apply through your state Medicaid office — not through SSA. Each state has its own application form (sometimes a combined Medicaid application, sometimes a separate MSP application). Bring proof of identity, age, citizenship, income (SSA award letter, pension statements, pay stubs), assets (bank statements), and your Medicare card. SHIP counselors will walk through it with you for free.

Federal asset limits in 2026 are about $9,470 for an individual and $14,200 for a couple. But your home, one vehicle, household goods, and a burial fund up to a limit usually don't count. And several states (Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Mississippi, New York, Vermont, and others) have eliminated the asset test entirely. Check your state's specific MSP rules — don't assume your savings disqualify you.

Yes — enrollment in any MSP tier automatically triggers Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy). SSA's POMS HI 03001.005 makes this automatic. Extra Help can wipe out your Part D premium for eligible plans, lower your Part D deductible and copays, and waive any Part D late-enrollment penalty. You don't need to file a separate Extra Help application if you're already MSP-enrolled.

Federal law prohibits Medicare-participating providers from billing QMB enrollees for Medicare cost-sharing (deductibles, copays, coinsurance). The provider must accept Medicare's payment plus any Medicaid cost-sharing payment as full payment. This applies whether the provider participates in Medicaid or not. CMS issues regular reminders to providers. If you're billed after showing your QMB / dual-eligible card, push back — don't pay first.

Most countable monthly income: gross Social Security (before any Medicare premium deduction), pension or retirement income, wages, interest, dividends, rental income, alimony. SSA applies a $20 'general income disregard' to total countable income. SSI rules around in-kind support and earned-income disregards generally apply. Some specific income types are not counted (e.g., the value of SNAP benefits, certain veteran's benefits in some states).

Yes — QI is funded with a fixed annual federal allocation, distributed first-come-first-served by states. Most states don't run out, but a few have. If you suspect you're QI-eligible, apply early in the calendar year to be safe. SLMB and QMB are entitlement programs (no funding cap). QI also has the unusual feature of not allowing simultaneous full Medicaid — if you become full-Medicaid-eligible, you're shifted out of QI and into a different category.

Most states require annual MSP renewal. Some states do automatic renewal if your circumstances haven't changed; others require an active renewal form. Watch your mail — missed renewal letters are the most common reason people lose MSP. If your renewal lapses, you can re-apply. The QMB billing protections end the moment your QMB status ends.

Not exactly. MSP is a category of Medicaid that pays Medicare costs but doesn't necessarily get you full Medicaid (which would also cover services Medicare doesn't, like routine vision/dental for adults in some states, long-term services and supports, etc.). Some MSP enrollees do get full Medicaid because they qualify under both rules. People on MSP plus full Medicaid are called 'full duals' or 'dual-eligibles.'

Be cautious. Real MSP enrollment goes through your state Medicaid office. SSA does the auto-Extra-Help link once MSP is approved. If a stranger calls or texts saying they can enroll you in MSP for a fee, that's likely a scam or a marketing funnel. Free MSP help: state Medicaid office, SHIP at 1-877-839-2675, and 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227.