At a glance
What they pay
At minimum the Part B premium ($2,434.80 a year in 2026). QMB also covers Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.
Income limits (2026)
From $1,350 (QMB) to $1,816 (QI) a month for one person
Resource limit (2026)
$9,950 single / $14,910 married (some states don't count assets at all)
Where to apply
Your parent's state Medicaid agency, not Medicare
Bonus
Approval automatically qualifies your parent for Extra Help with drug costs

Here's a pattern we see over and over. A parent living on $1,400 a month in Social Security sees $202.90 come off the top every month for the Part B premium, and assumes that's just what Medicare costs. Meanwhile the state would pay it if they applied.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are run by each state's Medicaid agency with federal funding. There are three main ones for people 65+, and they're among the most underused benefits in the country.

The three programs at a glance

Program What it pays Monthly income limit, 2026 (single / married)
QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) Part B premium, plus Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Also Part A premium if your parent owes one. $1,350 / $1,824
SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) Part B premium $1,616 / $2,184
QI (Qualifying Individual) Part B premium $1,816 / $2,455

Federal limits from Medicare.gov for 2026. Limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii, and some states use higher limits or ignore certain income.

The federal resource limit for all three is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a married couple in 2026. The home, one car, household goods and burial plots generally don't count. Several states have dropped the asset test entirely, so check your parent's state.

Why QMB is such a big deal

SLMB and QI save your parent about $2,435 a year. QMB goes further. With QMB, doctors, hospitals and other Medicare providers can't bill your parent for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance or copays. For someone with a chronic illness, that can mean thousands more a year.

All three programs also make your parent automatically eligible for Extra Help, the federal program that cuts prescription costs to a few dollars per drug. See our Extra Help guide.

How to apply

You apply through your parent's state Medicaid agency, not through Medicare or Social Security.

  1. Find the state agency. Medicaid.gov lists every state's contact. In Florida, it's the Department of Children and Families through ACCESS Florida.
  2. Apply online, by mail or in person. Many states let you apply for Medicare Savings Programs on the same application as Medicaid. Check the box for help paying Medicare costs.
  3. Send proof. Expect to provide income and bank statements. Respond to any request for more information quickly; missed deadlines are the most common reason for denials.
  4. Watch for the approval. Once approved, the Part B premium stops coming out of your parent's Social Security check, usually within a couple of months. There may be a refund for months already paid.
  5. Renew on time. MSPs require periodic renewal. QI in particular must be renewed every year and is funded first-come, first-served.

Get free help with the application Every state has a free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that helps with MSP applications. In Florida it's SHINE. Counselors know which income and assets your state ignores, which can make the difference.

Who should apply

Apply if your parent is on Medicare and any of these sound familiar:

Medicare.gov's advice is to apply even if you think your parent won't qualify. States disregard more than most people expect.

It can open other doors

An MSP approval can matter beyond the premium. In Florida, for example, being a QMB or SLMB is one of the ways to qualify for Home Care for the Elderly, the state subsidy for families caring for a parent at home. In other states, MSP status can make it easier to get utility discounts or other help.

Paperwork for the application

  • Medicare card and Social Security number
  • Photo ID
  • Social Security benefit letter for this year
  • Pension, annuity or other income statements
  • Recent statements for checking, savings and investment accounts
  • Life insurance policies with cash value
  • Proof of address

Keep a copy of the approval letter. Your parent may need to show it to a doctor's billing office, a pharmacy or another program. A DokuDocs vault keeps it a tap away.

Renewals are where people lose benefits Most families who lose an MSP do it by missing a renewal letter, not by becoming ineligible. Store each year's renewal and approval in DokuDocs, and set a reminder for the next one.

Questions families ask

My parent's income is a bit over the limit. Should we still apply?

Yes. Medicare.gov itself recommends applying even if you think your parent doesn't qualify. States ignore some income and some assets, and several states use higher limits than the federal ones.

Does a Medicare Savings Program count as Medicaid?

It's run by state Medicaid agencies, but QMB, SLMB and QI alone are not full Medicaid. They help with Medicare costs. Your parent may qualify for full Medicaid separately.

Can a doctor bill my parent if they have QMB?

No. Providers aren't allowed to bill people in the QMB program for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance or copays. If your parent gets a bill like that, show the provider the QMB approval letter.

Will the state take my parent's house after they die?

Federal law exempts Medicare Savings Program benefits from Medicaid estate recovery for costs incurred since 2010. Full Medicaid benefits are a different matter.

This guide explains public programs in plain language. It is not legal, medical or financial advice. Program rules, dollar amounts and phone numbers change, so confirm details with the agency before you apply. DokuDocs is not affiliated with any government agency.