What is the Medicare Savings Program?
Medicare Savings Program?
In the previous section we explained how much Medicare will cost you, especially if your income is above certain thresholds. But on the alternative, if your income is below certain thresholds, you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. Simply put, the Medicare Savings Program can provide help from the state to assist you with paying your Medicare Part A & B Premiums as well as help with deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
In the previous sections we explained why Part B is important and how much Medicare will cost you, especially if your income is above certain thresholds. But on the alternative, if your income is below certain thresholds, you may qualify for the Medicare Savings Program. Simply put, the Medicare Savings Program can provide help from the state to assist you with paying your Medicare Part A & B Premiums as well as help with deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
There are multiple levels you may qualify for depending on your income and resources as well as the specific state regulations where you reside. Ultimately you'll apply through your state, and your state determines which programs you would qualify for.
In many cases, to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you must have income and resources below a certain limit, as described below. These limits generally go up each year. You may still qualify for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the limits listed.
Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or resources when deciding who qualifies. Even if you don't think you qualify, you should still apply, as again there are multiple qualification levels.
There are multiple levels you may qualify for depending on your income and resources as well as the specific state regulations where you reside. Ultimately you'll apply through your state, and your state determines which programs you would qualify for.
In many cases, to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you must have income and resources below a certain limit, as described below. These limits generally go up each year. You may still qualify for these programs even if your income or resources are higher than the limits listed.
Some states don’t count certain types or specific amounts of income or resources when deciding who qualifies. Even if you don't think you qualify, you should still apply, as again there are multiple qualification levels.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Helps pay for: Part A premiums, Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (for services and items Medicare covers).
Monthly income and resource limits for 2023:
Your Situation
Monthly
Income Limit
Resource Limit
Individual
$1235
$9090
Individual
Monthly Income Limit $1235
Resource Limit $9090
Married Couple
$1663
$13,630
Married Couple
Monthly Income Limit $1663
Resource Limit $13,630
*Limits in Alaska and Hawaii are slightly higher.
If you qualify for the QMB program:
Medicare providers aren’t allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
You may get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment, if one applies.
You'll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs. You’ll pay no more than $4.30 in 2023 for each drug covered by your Medicare drug plan.
Show both your Medicare card and Medicaid card (or QMB card) each time you get care.
Show both your Medicare card and Medicaid card (or QMB card) each time you get care.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
Helps pay for: Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)
Monthly income and resource limits for 2023:
Individual
Monthly Income Limit $1478
Resource Limit $9090
Married Couple
Monthly Income Limit $1992
Resource Limit $13,630
Your Situation
Monthly
Income Limit
Resource Limit
Individual
$1478
$9090
Married Couple
$1992
$13,630
*Limits in Alaska and Hawaii are slightly higher.
If you qualify for the SLMB program:
You’ll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs.
You’ll pay no more than $10.35 in 2023 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers.
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
Helps pay for: Part B premiums (You must have both Part A and Part B to qualify.)
Monthly income and resource limits for 2023:
Individual
Monthly Income Limit $1660
Resource Limit $9090
Married Couple
Monthly Income Limit $2239
Resource Limit $13,630
Your Situation
Monthly
Income Limit
Resource Limit
Individual
$1660
$9090
Married Couple
$2239
$13,630
*Limits in Alaska and Hawaii are slightly higher.
If you qualify for the QI program:
You must apply every year to stay in the QI Program.
States approve applications on a first-come, first-served basis – priority is given to people who got QI benefits the previous year.
You’ll also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs. You’ll pay no more than $10.35 in 2023 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers.
If you qualify for Medicaid, you can't get help from the QI program, but you may qualify for help from another Medicare Savings Program.
Qualified Disabled & Working Individual (QDWI) Program
You may qualify for the QDWI Program if you:
Have a disability
Are working
Lost Your Social Security disability benefits and Medicare premium-free Part A because you returned to work
Qualified Disabled & Working Individual (QDWI) Program
You may qualify for the QDWI Program if you:
Have a disability
Are working
Lost Your Social Security disability benefits and Medicare premium-free Part A because you returned to work
Helps pay for: Part A premiums only.
Monthly income and resource limits for 2023:
Individual
Monthly Income Limit $4945
Resource Limit $4000
Married Couple
Monthly Income Limit $6659
Resource Limit $6000
Your Situation
Monthly
Income Limit
Resource Limit
Individual
$4945
$4000
Married Couple
$6659
$6000
*Limits in Alaska and Hawaii are slightly higher.
Applying for Medicare Savings Program
Applying for Medicare Savings Program
As mentioned above, these programs are run by your state, and you'll need to contact them to apply.
You can also contact one of our licensed professionals for assistance in applying for the Medicare Savings Program.As always our consultations are of no cost to you.
As mentioned above, these programs are run by your state, and you'll need to contact them to apply.
You can also contact one of our licensed professionals for assistance in applying for the Medicare Savings Program.As always our consultations are of no cost to you.
As mentioned above, these programs are run by your state, and you'll need to contact them to apply.
You can also contact one of our licensed professionals for assistance in applying for the Medicare Savings Program.As always our consultations are of no cost to you.
As mentioned above, these programs are run by your state, and you'll need to contact them to apply.
You can also contact one of our licensed professionals for assistance in applying for the Medicare Savings Program.As always our consultations are of no cost to you.
This is a proprietary website and is not associated with, endorsed, or authorized by Medicare or the federal government.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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DBA "Avila Medicare Solutions"
1903 Cypress Creek Road, Suite 102
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
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