If your income is limited, a Medicare Savings Program run by your state can pay your Medicare Part B premium — and, for the QMB program, your deductibles, coinsurance, and copays too.
Quick answer
There are four Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs): QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI. The most generous, the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program, pays your Part A and Part B premiums plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments — and providers are not allowed to bill you for those Medicare costs. The SLMB and QI programs pay your monthly Part B premium (which is $202.90 in 2026). You apply through your state Medicaid agency, and qualifying can also sign you up for Extra Help with your drug costs.
Key takeaways
- Four programs help pay Medicare costs: QMB, SLMB, QI, and QDWI.
- QMB is the broadest — it covers Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, and bans providers from balance-billing you.
- SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium, worth $202.90 a month in 2026.
- Each program has a monthly income limit and a resource (asset) limit that rise most years.
- Even if your income or resources look a little too high, you should still apply — some states count income and assets differently.
- Enrolling in an MSP also gets you Extra Help for your Part D drug costs automatically.
What each program pays
All four programs are administered by your state, even though the rules come from federal Medicare law. When you apply, your state decides which program you qualify for based on your income and resources.
| Program | What it helps pay | 2026 monthly income limit (individual / married couple) | 2026 resource limit (individual / couple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary | Part A & Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copays | $1,350 / $1,824 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| SLMB — Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary | Part B premium (you must have Part A and Part B) | $1,616 / $2,184 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| QI — Qualifying Individual | Part B premium (must reapply every year; first come, first served) | $1,816 / $2,455 | $9,950 / $14,910 |
| QDWI — Qualified Disabled & Working Individual | Part A premium only (for certain working people with disabilities who lost premium-free Part A) | $5,405 / $7,299 | $4,000 / $6,000 |
Income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Because many states use more generous rules than the federal baseline — some disregard certain income or do not count some assets — it is worth applying even if you are over these numbers.
What counts toward the limits
The income test looks at your monthly income, and the resource test looks at savings you can readily access, such as money in checking and savings accounts and investments like stocks and bonds. Your state makes the final determination and may exclude certain items, so do not rule yourself out based on these figures alone.
How much could a Medicare Savings Program save you?
The Part B premium alone is $202.90 a month in 2026 — more than $2,400 over a year. SLMB and QI cover that premium. QMB does more: it also wipes out the $283 Part B deductible and the 20% coinsurance you would normally owe for most doctor visits and outpatient care, plus Part A hospital costs. For someone who sees doctors regularly, that can be worth thousands of dollars a year, on top of the Extra Help savings on prescriptions.
The QMB billing protection
If you are in the QMB program, federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers, including pharmacies, from billing you for Medicare cost-sharing. You have no legal obligation to pay Part A or Part B deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments for Medicare-covered services. If you still receive a bill, tell the provider you are a QMB, show your Medicare and Medicaid (or QMB) card, and contact Medicare if the billing continues. (You may still owe a small Medicaid copay in some cases.)
How the programs connect to Extra Help
Qualifying for any of the three main programs (QMB, SLMB, or QI) also enrolls you in Extra Help, the Part D Low-Income Subsidy. That means lower drug-plan premiums and deductibles, and in 2026 you would pay no more than $12.65 for each covered drug. You can apply for a Medicare Savings Program and Extra Help at the same time.
How to apply
Medicare Savings Programs are run by states, so you apply through your state Medicaid agency, not through Medicare directly. Contact your state to start an application, or get free help from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). When you apply for Extra Help through Social Security, that agency can also forward your information to start an MSP application in your state unless you opt out.
Official sources
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs (2026 limits)
- CMS — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
- Medicare.gov — Get help with costs
- Medicaid.gov — Medicare Savings Programs
Next steps
- Gather proof of your income and resources (bank statements, Social Security award letter, pension statements).
- Contact your state Medicaid agency to apply — you can find it through Medicare.gov’s help pages.
- Apply even if you think your income is slightly too high; state rules vary.
- For free, unbiased help, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Related guides
- Medicare Part B and IRMAA 2026
- Medicaid and Medicare Dual Eligibility
- Medicare 2026 Guide
- Medicaid for Seniors 2026
Frequently asked questions
What are the four Medicare Savings Programs?
They are QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary), SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary), QI (Qualifying Individual), and QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual). QMB is the most comprehensive; SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium; QDWI helps certain working people with disabilities pay the Part A premium.
What are the 2026 income limits for the QMB program?
For 2026, the monthly income limit is $1,350 for an individual and $1,824 for a married couple, with a resource limit of $9,950 (individual) and $14,910 (couple). Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii, and some states use more generous rules.
Can a provider bill me if I am in the QMB program?
No. Federal law prohibits Medicare providers and suppliers, including pharmacies, from billing QMB enrollees for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copays on covered services. If you get such a bill, tell the provider you are a QMB and contact Medicare if it continues.
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program?
Apply through your state Medicaid agency, not Medicare directly. You can also get free help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Even if your income seems slightly too high, apply, because states vary in how they count income and assets.
Does a Medicare Savings Program also help with drug costs?
Yes. Enrolling in QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualifies you for Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy), which lowers your drug-plan premium and deductible. In 2026 you would pay no more than $12.65 for each covered drug.
Last verified against official sources on September 1, 2026. This is general information, not personalized advice, and has not been independently reviewed by an outside subject-matter expert. Confirm current details with the agency before acting.