Medicare Savings Program: 2026 Income Limits, What It Pays, and How to Apply

What Are Medicare Savings Programs?

MSPs are Medicaid eligibility groups focused on Medicare costs. You may qualify without full-benefit Medicaid. Eligibility involves income, resources, Medicare enrollment and program rules. SSA rules

The Four Programs at a Glance

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

QMB helps with Part A premiums if owed, Part B premiums, and Part A/B deductibles, coinsurance and copays for Medicare-covered care. Providers cannot bill you for that cost sharing. A small Medicaid copayment may apply. QMB guide

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)

SLMB pays the Part B premium; you need Parts A and B. If deducted from Social Security, state payment can reduce that deduction. Check your approval's effective date. SLMB may accompany full-benefit Medicaid. SLMB guide

Qualifying Individual (QI)

QI pays the Part B premium. You need Parts A and B and must be ineligible for other Medicaid coverage or benefits. Apply yearly; applications are processed in order of receipt, prioritizing previous-year recipients. QI guide

Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI)

QDWI pays Part A premiums for eligible working people with a disability who lost Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A because they returned to work.

2026 Income Limits and Resource Limits

Couple means married couple. Alaska and Hawaii have higher income limits; state rules may be more generous. Medicare's program details

These income figures already include the $20 monthly general exclusion. Do not subtract it again. QDWI figures also include earned-income exclusions. The state applies household and income-source rules; this table is not an eligibility calculator.

What Counts Toward the Resource Limit

Resources include assets such as accounts and investments. States apply exclusions and may waive the resource test for certain MSPs. Ask how your home, vehicle and accounts are treated; ownership alone need not rule you out.

How to Apply Through Your State Medicaid Office

Find your state Medicaid agency for application instructions. MSP applications are not limited to fall Medicare Open Enrollment.

An SSA Extra Help application can start the MSP process: SSA sends information to your state unless you decline. Referral is not approval. SSA's explanation

Have Medicare, income and account information available. Supply requested documents through the agency's official process, not this website.

Respond to state notices. Ask when assistance starts and whether earlier months can be covered. Check that premium-payment changes match your approval; processing times and refunds are not guaranteed.

Extra Help Comes With It Automatically

QMB, SLMB and QI qualify you automatically for Part D Extra Help; QDWI alone does not. In 2026, maximum copays for many recipients are $5.10 for covered generic drugs and $12.65 for covered brand-name drugs. Some pay less or nothing. CMS's 2026 figures

Read our Extra Help guide. Our SNAP calculator provides an educational estimate; the flex card guide covers a separate plan feature. Neither benefit follows automatically from MSP approval.

Common Mistakes That Cost People Money

• Subtracting the $20 exclusion twice: it is already included above.
• Ruling yourself out without checking the state's rules.
• Missing follow-up notices after an SSA referral or state application.
• Forgetting that QI requires an application each year.
• Paying a possible QMB billing error. Show your Medicare and Medicaid or QMB cards. Ask the provider and state about bills for covered Part A/B cost sharing; small Medicaid copays may apply.

Medicare Savings Programs FAQ