Who Qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program?
- Medicare Savings Programs provide financial assistance to low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Learn about the income and resource limits required for eligibility.
A Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a federally funded program that is administered by each individual state and are designed to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay their Medicare premiums, deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
A qualifying individual must meet certain income and resource limits that determine who is eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. There are four types of Medicare Savings Programs, and each has its own income limit.
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Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
One type of Medicare Savings Program is the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program, or QMB. The Medicare QMB helps pay for Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance copayments.
The income limit for QMB in 2020 is:
- Individuals
Monthly income or no more than $1,084 and financial resources valued at no more than $7,860 - Married couples
Monthly income of no more than $1,457 and resources valued at no more than $11,800
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program helps pay for Medicare Part B premiums only. The 2020 SLMB income limits are:
- Individuals
Monthly income of no more than $1,296 and resources valued at no more than $7,860 - Married couples
Income of no more than $1,744 and resources valued at no more than $11,800
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
The Qualifying Individual (QI) Program helps a qualifying individual pay Medicare Part B premiums, and it comes with the following income and resource limits in 2020:
- Individuals
Monthly income of no more than $1,456 and resources valued at no more than $7,860 - Married couples
Income of no more than $1,960 and resources valued at no more than $11,800
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program
The Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program helps beneficiaries pay for their Medicare Part A premium. The 2020 QDWI income and resource limits are:
- Individuals
Monthly income of no more than $4,339 and resources valued at no more than $4,000 - Married couples
Income of no more than $5,833 and resources valued at no more than $6,000
What Counts As a Financial Resource?
The resources used to determine eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program include money in a checking or savings account, stocks and bonds.
The following assets are not included:
- Your home
- One car
- A burial plot
- Up to $1,500 for burial expenses
- Furniture
- Other household and personal items
You must also meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program:
- You must reside in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia
- You must be 65 or older or have a qualifying disability
- You have or are eligible for Medicare Part A
You may contact your state Medicaid program to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program and for help enrolling.
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