Medicare Savings Programs: help paying the Part B premium
How the QMB, SLMB and QI programs pay Medicare premiums and sometimes deductibles, who qualifies, and how to apply through your state.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by state Medicaid agencies and help people with limited income and savings pay Medicare costs. The value is large: the standard Part B premium alone is $202.90 a month in 2026, or $2,435 a year.
The three main programs
| Program | What it pays | Approximate income level |
|---|---|---|
| QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) | Part A and B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays | Up to about 100% of the federal poverty level |
| SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) | Part B premium | About 100% to 120% of poverty level |
| QI (Qualifying Individual) | Part B premium | About 120% to 135% of poverty level; first come, first served |
Exact limits change each year and some states set higher limits or ignore assets entirely. Apply even if you think you are slightly over.
Automatic Extra Help
Anyone who qualifies for an MSP also automatically qualifies for Extra Help with Part D drug costs; see Extra Help explained.
QMB billing protection
Providers cannot bill people in the QMB program for Medicare-covered services. If you have QMB and receive a bill, tell the provider and contact Medicare.
How to apply
Apply through your state Medicaid office (in Washington, through Washington Apple Health; in Florida, through the Department of Children and Families). Bring proof of income, savings, and your Medicare card. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program can help with the forms.
MSPs and Medigap
People with QMB usually do not need Medigap, because QMB covers most cost sharing. People with SLMB or QI still have Part B's 20% coinsurance, so a supplement or Medicare Advantage may still make sense; the plan letter guide explains the options. In Washington, an independent agency such as Maru Insurance can check whether a supplement still makes sense alongside an MSP.
Questions people ask
What do Medicare Savings Programs pay?
Part B premiums at minimum; QMB also pays deductibles and coinsurance.
Who runs MSPs?
State Medicaid agencies.
Do I get Extra Help too?
Yes, MSP enrollees qualify automatically.
Can providers bill QMB members?
Not for Medicare-covered services.
Independent educational site. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or any insurance company. Figures are 2026 amounts published by CMS unless noted; check Medicare.gov for your situation.