Medicare Savings Programs (MSP).
If your monthly income is limited, state-administered Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium ($185/month in 2026), your Medicare deductibles, and even your copays — saving you $2,200+/year. Below are 2026 limits and how to apply.
The four Medicare Savings Programs (2026)
| Program | Single income limit | Couple income limit | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | $1,255/mo | $1,704/mo | Part A & B premiums, deductibles, copays |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income) | $1,506/mo | $2,044/mo | Part B premium ($185/mo) |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | $1,695/mo | $2,300/mo | Part B premium (must reapply yearly) |
| QDWI (Working Disabled) | $2,510/mo | $3,408/mo | Part A premium for under-65 working disabled |
2026 federal baseline limits. Many states use higher limits or have no asset test (CA, NY, IL, AZ, AL, CT, ME, MS, OR, VT, DC, DE).
What QMB actually saves you
QMB is the most generous of the four MSPs. If you qualify, the state pays:
- Your Part B premium ($185.00/mo in 2026 = $2,220/year)
- Your Part A premium (if you don't qualify for premium-free Part A)
- Your Part B deductible ($259/year in 2026)
- Your Part A deductible ($1,712/per benefit period in 2026)
- All Medicare copays and coinsurance — providers cannot bill you
Total annual savings for a typical QMB enrollee: $2,500–$5,000+. Plus, QMB enrollment automatically gives you Extra Help (LIS) for prescription drugs.
SLMB and QI — Part B premium only
SLMB and QI are similar: both pay your Part B premium ($185/mo = $2,220/year), but income limits are higher than QMB. The differences:
- SLMB is a Medicaid entitlement — once you qualify, you stay enrolled until your income changes.
- QI is funded by a federal block grant — you must reapply each year and limited slots are available (first-come, first-served).
- You cannot be enrolled in both Medicaid (full) and QI.
QDWI — for working disabled under 65
QDWI is for people under 65 who lost premium-free Part A because they returned to work after disability. It only pays the Part A premium ($518/mo in 2026 if you have less than 30 quarters of work credits). Income limit is much higher (200% FPL).
Don't forget Extra Help (LIS)
Separately from MSP, the federal Extra Help / Low Income Subsidy (LIS) program reduces Part D drug costs:
- Income up to $1,903/month single, $2,575/month couple
- Resources up to $17,220 single / $34,360 couple (2026)
- Reduces drug copays to as low as $1.55 generic / $4.60 brand-name
- Eliminates the Part D late enrollment penalty
If you qualify for QMB, SLMB, or QI, you automatically qualify for Extra Help — no separate application needed. Otherwise, apply at ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.
MSP guides by state
Each state administers MSP differently — different agencies, different applications, sometimes different income limits.
Free MSP eligibility screening.
A licensed advisor reviews your income and resources, tells you which MSP you qualify for, and walks you through your state's application. Free, no obligation.
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