Information checked: 2026-09-09 · Maintenance label: Annual variable values
If the Medicare Part B premium is taking a painful share of a fixed income, there are four programs that can pay it for you. They are collectively called Medicare Savings Programs, and they are consistently underclaimed.
Part of the reason is the routing. They help with Medicare costs but they are run by states, so the application goes to your state rather than to Medicare.
This guide covers what each program pays, the 2026 income and resource limits, and how to apply.
Key takeaway
Four programs help with Medicare costs. QMB is the broadest, covering Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. For 2026 the QMB monthly income limit is $1,350 for an individual and $1,824 for a married couple, with resource limits of $9,950 and $14,910. Apply through your state, and apply even if you are slightly over, because states may count income differently.
Table of contents
- The four programs and what each pays
- The 2026 limits
- Why applying is worth it even if you look over the limit
- How to apply
- Frequently asked questions
- Summary
Related guides
- Medicare Part B Premium 2027: When the Amount Is Announced and How to Check It — The premium these programs can cover
- LIHEAP 2026–2027: How to Apply for Heating and Utility Bill Assistance — Help with energy bills on the same household budget
The four programs and what each pays
| Program | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) | Part A premiums if you do not have premium-free Part A, plus Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments |
| Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) | Part B premiums only; requires both Part A and Part B |
| Qualifying Individual (QI) | Part B premiums only; requires both Part A and Part B |
| Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) | Part A premiums only |
QMB is much broader than the others. It removes cost sharing across the board, not only the monthly premium.
Apply through your stateMedicare Savings Programs ›These programs are run by states, so the application goes to your state Medicaid office even though the benefit is Medicare cost help.The 2026 limits
| Program | Monthly income, individual | Resources, individual | Monthly income, couple | Resources, couple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350 | $9,950 | $1,824 | $14,910 |
| SLMB | $1,616 | $9,950 | $2,184 | $14,910 |
| QI | $1,816 | $9,950 | $2,455 | $14,910 |
| QDWI | $5,405 | $4,000 | $7,299 | $6,000 |
Note the ladder. Someone over the QMB limit may still qualify for SLMB, and someone over SLMB may qualify for QI. Being turned down for one does not mean being turned down for all.
Why applying is worth it even if you look over the limit
These programs are run by states, and states have latitude in how income and resources are counted. Some disregard certain income; some apply more generous resource rules. A calculation you do at your kitchen table against a national table is not the determination.
- Apply if you are within a reasonable margin of the limit.
- Apply if your income has recently fallen, even if last year's would have been too high.
- Apply separately for each spouse where circumstances differ.
- Reapply after a change in income, resources or household.
How to apply
- Contact your state Medicaid office, since Medicare states plainly that these programs are run by your state.
- Gather proof of income, resources, your Medicare card and proof of residence.
- Ask specifically which of the four programs you are being assessed for, and ask about all of them rather than one.
- Ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free help with the application if the form is unclear.
- Keep a copy of everything you submit, with the date.
Enrolling in QMB, SLMB or QI also generally connects you to help with prescription drug costs, which is a second saving people do not expect.
Free one-to-one helpState Health Insurance Assistance Program ›Free, unbiased Medicare counselling in every state. Counsellors are not paid commission on plan sales.Frequently asked questions
Which program helps the most?
QMB. It covers Part B premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance and copayments, where SLMB and QI cover premiums only.
Do I apply to Medicare or to my state?
To your state. Medicare states that these programs are run by states even though they pay Medicare costs.
My income is slightly over the limit. Should I apply?
Yes. States differ in how income and resources are counted, and the determination is theirs to make.
Do these programs count my house or car?
Resource rules vary by state and commonly exclude a primary home and one vehicle. Ask your state rather than assuming.
Can I get help with drug costs too?
Enrolling in QMB, SLMB or QI generally connects you to prescription drug cost assistance as well.
Summary
Four programs, one application route: your state. QMB is the broadest and worth asking about first.
The 2026 QMB threshold is $1,350 a month for an individual and $1,824 for a couple. Apply even near the line, because how your state counts income is not something you can settle from a national table.
- Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs — 2026 income and resource limits for QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI