Medicare Savings Programs: State Help Paying Your Medicare Premiums
Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs add up. If your income and savings are limited, a Medicare Savings Program may help. These programs are run by your state and help pay some Medicare costs.
The Three Main Programs
According to Medicare.gov, here is what each one helps with:
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): Helps pay Part A premiums (if you don’t get Part A free) and Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Providers can’t bill you for Medicare-covered services, though a small Medicaid copay may apply.
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): Helps pay Part B premiums only.
- Qualifying Individual (QI): Helps pay Part B premiums only. You must apply every year, and states approve applications first-come, first-served.
A fourth program, Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI), helps some working people with disabilities pay Part A premiums.
2026 Federal Limits
As of October 2026, Medicare.gov lists these monthly income limits for 2026:
- QMB: $1,350 for an individual, $1,824 for a married couple.
- SLMB: $1,616 for an individual, $2,184 for a married couple.
- QI: $1,816 for an individual, $2,455 for a married couple.
The resource limit for all three is $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a married couple.
States can count income and resources differently, and some approve people above these limits. Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Medicare.gov encourages people to apply even if they don’t think they qualify.
A Helpful Bonus: Extra Help
If your state pays your Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program, Medicare.gov says you automatically get Extra Help with prescription drug costs. In 2026, that means paying no more than $12.65 for each covered drug.
How to Apply
- Gather proof of income, such as benefit letters, and recent bank statements.
- Contact your state Medicaid office and ask about Medicare Savings Programs.
- Fill out the application and keep a copy.
- If you qualify for QI, mark your calendar to reapply each year.
Rules vary by state, so check with your state agency. A free counselor through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can also walk you through it. Applying is free, so be wary of anyone who charges a fee to help.
More on Seniors Tips
- Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
- Medicare Open Enrollment 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide to Reviewing Your Coverage
