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Do I qualify for a Medicare Savings Program?

MSP income limits are commonly assumed to match Medicaid's much stricter thresholds — the real MSP limits are meaningfully higher, which is why many people who assume they will not qualify actually do.
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Short answer: In 2026 you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program if your monthly income is under $1,816 (one person) or $2,455 (married couple) and your savings are under $9,950 (single) or $14,910 (couple). The programs pay your $202.90 Part B premium, which is $2,434.80 a year, and the lowest-income tier also pays deductibles and copays. About a dozen states plus DC have dropped the savings limit entirely.

Comparing the programs? See QMB vs SLMB vs QI, or read what counts as income and assets, including what to try if you are over the limit.

2026 income and asset limits

These are the federal limits for the 48 contiguous states. Alaska and Hawaii use higher numbers, and some states set looser limits than the federal floor. Limits include a $20 general income disregard already built into the figures below.

ProgramMonthly income, singleMonthly income, coupleSavings limit (single / couple)
QMB$1,350$1,824$9,950 / $14,910
SLMB$1,616$2,184$9,950 / $14,910
QI$1,816$2,455$9,950 / $14,910
QDWI$5,405$7,299$4,000 / $6,000

QMB is 100 percent of the federal poverty level, SLMB is 120 percent and QI is 135 percent, each plus the $20 disregard. Source: 2026 limits as published by Medicare.gov and summarized by Triage Cancer.

Asset limits still exist in most states. A common claim says they were eliminated nationwide. That is not true. Around a dozen states plus DC have removed the savings test, and 2026 federal limits apply in the rest. Check your state's page below.

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What each program pays for

  • QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Part B premium, and Part A premium if you owe one, plus deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered care. Providers cannot bill you for those costs.
  • SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Part B premium only. You must have both Part A and Part B.
  • QI (Qualifying Individual): Part B premium only. You must reapply every year, and approval is first come, first served, with priority for people who had QI the year before. You cannot get QI if you qualify for full Medicaid.
  • QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual): Part A premium for working people with a disability who lost premium-free Part A. This is rare.

Approval for QMB, SLMB or QI also qualifies you automatically for Extra Help with prescription drug costs. In 2026 that caps your cost per covered drug at $12.65.

What counts as income

Social Security, pensions, wages, interest and most other regular income count. The $20 disregard is already in the limits above. Some states also disregard more, which is why people slightly over the federal number sometimes still qualify. Health insurance premiums are not subtracted in most states.

For savings, the usual countable items are bank accounts, stocks, bonds and similar assets. Your home, one car, household goods and burial plots generally do not count.

How to apply

  1. Check your state's rules. Use the Medicare Savings estimator or your state page. Limits differ by state.
  2. Find your state Medicaid or Medicare Savings office. Programs are run by the state, usually through the same agency as Medicaid.
  3. Gather proof. A Medicare card, Social Security award letter, bank statements, pension statements and ID are typical.
  4. Apply online, by mail, or in person. Ask for the Medicare Savings Program application, not full Medicaid.
  5. Watch for the notice. Once approved, your Part B premium stops coming out of your Social Security check, usually within a few months, and your check goes up.

Does it go back to the day you applied?

It depends on the program. QMB is not retroactive: coverage typically starts the month after approval. SLMB and QI can reimburse up to three months of Part B premiums already taken from your check. QI reimbursement must fall in the same calendar year, SLMB can reach into the prior year. Your state decides the exact start date, so ask.

Check your state

The 2026 state pages show local income limits, whether there is an asset test, and where to apply.

See all 50 states Best states for MSP in 2026

Frequently asked questions

How much money can I have in the bank and still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program?
The 2026 federal savings limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. That counts bank accounts, stocks and bonds. Your home, one car, household goods and burial plots generally do not count. Several states have dropped the asset test, so check your state.
What is the Medicare Savings Program in plain terms?
It is a state program, run through Medicaid, that pays some or all of your Medicare Part B premium and sometimes your deductibles and copays. The three levels are QMB, SLMB and QI, and the right one depends on your income.
Do assets count for a Medicare Savings Program?
In most states, yes. The 2026 federal savings limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. About a dozen states plus DC have no asset test at all. Your home, one car and household goods usually do not count.
What is the income limit for QMB, SLMB and QI in 2026?
For one person the monthly limits are $1,350 for QMB, $1,616 for SLMB and $1,816 for QI. For a married couple they are $1,824, $2,184 and $2,455. Alaska, Hawaii and some states use different numbers.
Is a Medicare Savings Program the same as Medicaid?
No. Medicare Savings Programs are a limited part of Medicaid that only help with Medicare costs. They have higher income limits than full Medicaid and are usually run by the same state agency. You can apply for MSP without applying for full Medicaid.
How much will a Medicare Savings Program save me?
The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month, or $2,434.80 a year, and it stops coming out of your Social Security check. QMB also covers deductibles and copays, and all three main programs add Extra Help with drug costs.
Will I need to reapply every year?
QI requires a new application every year. QMB and SLMB are usually renewed once a year by your state, often by mail. Respond to renewal notices promptly because a missed one can end your coverage.
Can I get coverage back to the date I applied?
Not for QMB, where coverage typically starts the month after approval. SLMB and QI can reimburse up to three months of Part B premiums already deducted, with QI limited to the same calendar year.

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