Medicare Savings Programs: help with premiums
State programs that can pay your Part B premium, and sometimes much more.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by state Medicaid agencies and help people with limited income and resources pay Medicare costs. Qualifying also enrolls you in Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
Many people who qualify never apply. The federal limits below are minimums; your state may allow higher income or resources, and some states don't count resources at all.
The four programs and 2026 federal limits
Monthly income limits and resource limits for an individual and a married couple:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): income up to $1,350 (individual) or $1,824 (couple); resources up to $9,950 or $14,910. Pays: Part A and Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): income up to $1,616 (individual) or $2,184 (couple); resources up to $9,950 or $14,910. Pays: Part B premiums.
- Qualifying Individual (QI): income up to $1,816 (individual) or $2,455 (couple); resources up to $9,950 or $14,910. Pays: Part B premiums (first come, first served; apply every year).
- Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI): income up to $5,405 (individual) or $7,299 (couple); resources up to $4,000 or $6,000. Pays: Part A premiums, for certain people under 65 with disabilities who returned to work.
What the limits mean
Income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. States disregard some income when they calculate eligibility, and resources usually don't include your home, one car, or burial plots. You may qualify even if your income or resources look higher than these limits, so apply rather than rule yourself out.
QMB billing protection
If you're in the QMB program, Medicare providers aren't allowed to bill you for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance or copayments. If you get a bill, show the provider your QMB proof and contact Medicare.
How to apply
Apply through your state's Medicaid agency. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can help you apply for free. If you get Extra Help, Social Security may share your information with your state to start an MSP application for you.
Common questions
Yes, automatically. In 2026 you pay no more than $12.65 for each covered brand-name drug.
They're run by the same state agency, but an MSP helps only with Medicare costs. Some people qualify for an MSP and not full Medicaid.
Yes. Your home generally isn't counted as a resource.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Medicare Savings Programs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Help with drug costs, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.