Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI, QDWI)

What this actually is

Your state pays your Medicare premiums, and in the top tier your deductibles, coinsurance and copays too. That is roughly two thousand dollars a year back in your Social Security check, and it is not a loan, not a tax credit, and not repaid. It is the single most under-claimed benefit in Medicare. The big misunderstanding: people see the income limits and disqualify themselves. Do not. Many states do not count certain income or resources at all, and several have dropped the resource test entirely — Medicare's own guidance says apply even if you think your income or resources are too high, because your STATE decides, not the federal table. The second thing nobody tells you: if you are approved for QMB, providers are legally forbidden to bill you for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance and copays. If you get such a bill anyway, that is an improper charge, not a debt. And qualifying for any of these automatically gets you Extra Help on drugs as well.

Who qualifies, and what trips people up

2026 federal figures, as a floor rather than a ceiling. QMB (pays Part A and B premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance and copays): monthly income up to $1,350 individual / $1,824 married, resources $9,950 / $14,910. SLMB (pays the Part B premium): $1,616 / $2,184, same resource limits. QI (pays the Part B premium): $1,816 / $2,455, same resource limits. QDWI (pays the Part A premium, for people who lost premium-free Part A by returning to work after disability): income $5,405 / $7,299, resources $4,000 / $6,000. Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii and rise each year. QI has two catches: you must reapply every year, and states approve first-come first-served with priority to last year's recipients — so apply in January, not December. QI is also only for people who do not qualify for other Medicaid. Apply through your state; free one-on-one help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and you should not pay an insurance agent to do this.