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You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions. These conditions are listed below under “How do I apply for Medicare Savings Programs?”
4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs
Select a program name below for details about each Medicare Savings Program. If you have income from working, you still may qualify for these 4 programs even if your income is higher than the income limits listed for each program.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
Program helps pay for Part A premiums Part B premiums Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
| Individual monthly income limit* | $1,094 |
|---|---|
| Married couple monthly income limit* | $1,472 |
| Individual resource limit | $7,970 |
| Married couple resource limit | $11,960 |
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program
The SLMB Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources.
SLMB income & resource limits in 2021:
| Individual monthly income limit* | $1,308 |
|---|---|
| Married couple monthly income limit* | $1,762 |
| Individual resource limit | $7,970 |
| Married couple resource limit | $11,960 |
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
Qualifying Individual (QI) Program
The QI Program is a state program that helps pay Part B premiums for people who have Part A and limited income and resources. You must apply every year for QI benefits. QI applications are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to people who got QI benefits the previous year. (You can’t get QI benefits if you qualify for Medicaid).
QI income & resource limits in 2021:
| Individual monthly income limit* | $1,469 |
|---|---|
| Married couple monthly income limit* | $1,980 |
| Individual resource limit | $7,970 |
| Married couple resource limit | $11,960 |
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) Program
The QDWI program helps pay the Part A premium. You may qualify if any of these apply to you:
– You’re a working disabled person under 65
– You lost your Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A because you returned to work
– You aren’t getting medical assistance from your state
– You meet the income and resource limits required by your state
QDWI income & resource limits in 2021:
| Individual monthly income limit* | $4,379 |
|---|---|
| Married couple monthly income limit* | $5,892 |
| Individual resource limit | $4,000 |
| Married couple resource limit | $6,000 |
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
These amounts may increase each year. If your income and resources are slightly higher, you should still apply.
If you qualify for the QMB program, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare drug coverage.
| QMB | SLMB | QI | QDWI | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helps pay for | Part A premiums Part B premiums Deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments | Part B premiums only | Part B premiums only | Part A premiums only |
| Individual monthly income limit* | $1,094 | $1,308 | $1,469 | $4,379 |
| Married couple monthly income limit* | $1,472 | $1,762 | $1,980 | $5,892 |
| Individual resource limit | $7,970 | $7,970 | $7,970 | $4,000 |
| Married couple resource limit | $11,960 | $11,960 | $11,960 | $6,000 |
*Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
What items are included in the Medicare Savings Program resource limits?
Countable resources include:
– Money in a checking or savings account
– Stocks
– Bonds
Countable resources don’t include:
– Your home
– One car
– Up to $1,500 for burial expenses if you have put that money aside
– Furniture
– Other household and personal items
If you still have questions, feel free to give us a call at 616-600-8444 or fill out a “Contact Us” form in the right top of the page or “Get Help Now” in the left corner of the page. We will gladly make Medicare easy for you.
Source of information www.medicare.gov
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