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.
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.