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Medicare Savings Programs
A Medicare Savings Program can help pay for some premiums or cost-sharing expenses for those with low-incomes. There are four types of Medicare Savings Programs:
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
Helps pay for the Part A and Part B premium. This program also pays for Medicare cost-sharing expenses like the deductible, coinsurance and copays.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)
Helps pay for Part B premiums but does not pay for Part A premiums or other expenses.
Qualifying Individual (QI)
Helps pay for Part B premiums.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI)
Only helps pay for Part A premiums.
Medicare Extra Help
Medicare Extra Help, sometimes referred to as Low Income Subsidy (LIS), is a program administered by the Social Security Administration to help those with low incomes pay for prescription drugs. If you qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, you automatically qualify for Extra Help.
Who's eligible for a Medicare Savings Program or Medicare Extra Help?
- A Medicare Savings Program is available to those who have, or are eligible for, Part A and have income and resources below certain thresholds. The income threshold is different for each program and may change from year-to-year.
- Medicare Extra Help is available to those with income and assets below the eligibility thresholds, or whose annual income is higher than the eligibility limit, but you support other family members who live in the same household.
The following resources are counted when determining eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program or the Medicare Extra Help:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds and mutual funds
- Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
Things like your home, car, furniture and household or personal items are not counted when determining eligibility.
Applying for a Medicare Savings Program
To see if you’re eligible for a Medicare Savings Program, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 711) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Or, you can call your state Medicaid program to see if you qualify.
Applying for Medicare Extra Help
To apply for Extra Help over the phone, call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You can also apply at your local Social Security office.
More about Medicare
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How Medicare claims get paid
Finding and paying for home health care
Learn about Blue Cross Medicare networks
Medicare eligibility and age requirements