See Florida's 2026 income limits for QMB, SLMB, and QI, and how to apply through Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC). The standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, or $2,434.80 a year, before counting deductibles or coinsurance — for someone on a fixed income, an MSP can be the difference between affording routine care and skipping it.
Updated October 18, 2026. The details for Florida come from the official and legal aid sources listed at the bottom of this page. Federal figures match our main Medicare Savings guide. Confirm with your state Medicaid office before you apply.
| Program | Individual | Couple | Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350/mo | $1,824/mo | Part B premium, deductibles & copays + auto Extra Help |
| SLMB | $1,616/mo | $2,184/mo | Part B premium + auto Extra Help |
| QI | $1,816/mo | $2,455/mo | Part B premium + auto Extra Help |
Florida changed how it sets the income limit in 2025, and most online tables do not reflect it. The Department of Children and Families now uses your total family size, not only the people whose income is counted toward your eligibility. A larger family means a higher limit.
Family size counts you, your spouse if you live together, and relatives by blood, marriage or adoption who live with you and depend on you or your spouse for at least half of their financial support. Their income and assets are still not counted against you. In the Florida Health Justice Project's interim 2026 chart, a family of four has limits of $2,756 for QMB, $3,306 for SLMB and $3,719 for QI-1.
The same organization advises applying through the DCF MyACCESS system. It reports that DCF's separate Medicare Savings paper application has not been updated for the new family size rule. All three programs require Medicare Part A and a qualified immigration status.
All three Medicare Savings Programs pay your Medicare Part B premium — currently one of the biggest fixed costs for anyone on a limited income. But they're not identical:
You qualify for whichever tier matches your income — you don't choose between them, and Medicaid determines the right one automatically based on what you report on your application.
Florida uses the federal limit: $9,950 for an individual or $14,910 for a couple. Dependents' income and assets are not counted against you. Your home and one car usually do not count, while bank accounts, stocks and bonds do. Ask DCF how a retirement account would be treated.
MSP denials are appealable in every state — a common reason for denial is a paperwork gap (missing income verification, an asset statement not submitted) rather than a genuine eligibility mismatch. Most states give you a window of at least 30–90 days to request a fair hearing. If your income is only slightly over the limit, ask specifically about income disregards — several categories of income (like certain wage income or in-kind support) may not count the way you'd expect.
If you qualify for an MSP, it's worth checking these at the same time, since eligibility criteria often overlap:
Florida's published guidance does not spell out coverage start dates, so ask DCF when you apply. Under federal rules QMB starts the month after approval, while SLMB and QI-1 can reimburse up to three months of Part B premiums. If you were denied before the family size change, it can be worth applying again. If you are within a few months of turning 65 or newly enrolling in Medicare, apply for a Medicare Savings Program at the same time.
Does my Social Security count as income for this?
Yes — Social Security benefits count toward the income limit, though some states exclude a portion of earned income if you're still working part-time.
Can I qualify for Medicare and Medicaid at the same time?
Yes — MSP recipients are sometimes referred to as "dual eligible," and having both isn't unusual. Full Medicaid eligibility (beyond just MSP) depends on separate, typically lower income limits.
Will my MSP status change my Medicare coverage itself?
No — MSPs don't change what Medicare covers medically. They only affect who pays the premiums and cost-sharing amounts you'd otherwise owe out of pocket.
Does household size change my Medicare Savings limit in Florida?
Yes. Since 2025, Florida sets the limit by total family size, not only the people whose income counts. A family of four has higher limits than the one person figures in the table.
Who counts as family in Florida's Medicare Savings rules?
You, your spouse if living with you, and relatives by blood, marriage or adoption who live with you and depend on you or your spouse for at least half their support. Their income and assets are not counted against you.
Which application should I use in Florida?
The Florida Health Justice Project recommends applying through DCF's MyACCESS system, because DCF's separate Medicare Savings application has not been updated for the family size rule.
Online: DCF MyACCESS system
Free legal help: Florida Health Justice Project and local legal aid programs
Do I need to reapply every year?
Most states require an annual redetermination to confirm your income and (where applicable) assets still qualify — your state Medicaid agency will typically mail a renewal notice before your coverage would lapse. Losing MSP coverage because a renewal notice went to an old address is common and avoidable, so keep your contact information current with Medicaid.
What if my income changes partway through the year?
Report it. An increase that pushes you over the limit doesn't always mean immediate loss of coverage — some states have income disregards or grace periods — but not reporting a change can create a repayment obligation later. It's better to report and find out you still qualify than to stay quiet and risk a clawback.