Medicare Savings Programs (MSP): Help with Medicare Expenses

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP): Help with Medicare Expenses
UPDATED Oct. 25, 2023.  Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) provide assistance in paying your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. These programs are administrated by Medicaid and they have asset and income limits.

There are four types of State Medicare Savings Programs providing Help with Medicare Expenses:

Types of Medicare Savings Programs

Four types of Medicare Savings Programs are described below (2023):

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

  • Requirements: Have or to be eligible for Medicare Part A; Meet the income and resource guidelines (see below)
  • Income: Single/Married monthly income should be below $1,235 for an individual and $1,663 for a couple. The monthly income corresponds to 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • Resource Limit: Single/Married resources should be less than $9,090 / $13,630.
  • Program Helps Pay: Part A premium; Part B premium; Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments; Extra Help (LIS)

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Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

  • Requirements: Have or to be eligible for Medicare Part A; Meet the income and resource guidelines (see below)
  • Income: Single/Married monthly income should be below $1,478 for an individual and $1,992 for a couple. The monthly income limits are between 100% and 120% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) plus $20.
  • Resource Limit: Single/Married resources should be less than $9,090 / $13,630.
  • Program Helps Pay: Part B premium only; Extra Help (LIS)

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Qualified Individual (QI)

  • Requirements: Have or to be eligible for Medicare Part A; Meet the income and resource guidelines (see below)
  • Income: Single/Married monthly income should be below $1,660 for an individual and and $2,239 for a couple.  The monthly income limits are between 120% and 135% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) plus $20.
  • Resource Limit: Single/Married resources should be less than $9,090 / $13,630.
  • Program Helps Pay: Part B premium only; Extra Help (LIS)

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Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)

  • Requirements: Have or to be eligible for Medicare Part A; You must be a disabled individual who has lost Medicare Part A benefits because you returned to work and are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid benefits; meet the income and resource guidelines (see below)
  • Income: Single/Married monthly income should be below $4,945 for an individual and $6,659 for a couple.
  • Resource Limit: Single/Married resources should be less than $4,000 / $6,000.
  • Program Helps Pay: Part A premium only (but not any coinsurance or deductible) for working disabled people

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Am I eligible for Help with Medicare Costs?

The only way to know for sure whether you are eligible for one of the Medicare Savings Programs is actually to apply. If you receive income from working, you may qualify even if your income is higher than the limits above. Many states figure your income and resources differently so you may be eligible even if you exceed the published limits above. Call your State Medicaid Program to see how to apply. You may locate their number by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

US Government Sources

How Can Liberty Medicare Help?

Liberty Medicare is a leading insurance agency that specializes in Medicare insurance in the following states: Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. All our services are entirely free to you. An essential part of our job is working with low-income senior citizens and providing suggestions on the available Medicare Savings Programs that will help you with Medicare Expenses.

Please contact us if you need advice on applying for Medicare Savings Programs.

Get our Medicare Quotes, or give us a call at 877-657-7477, and you will be connected to a licensed agent/broker.