Medicare Savings Programs may help pay Part A or Part B premiums, but benefits differ. In 2026, QMB can also protect against charges for Medicare-covered deductibles and copayments; SLMB and QI mainly pay Part B premiums, while QDWI serves certain working people with disabilities. Apply through your state, which determines eligibility.
If the Medicare Part B premium reduces your Social Security payment each month, your state may be able to pay that premium. The important distinction is which Medicare Savings Program you qualify for: three can help with Part B premiums, but only the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program also offers broad protection from bills for Medicare-covered deductibles and cost-sharing. The official Medicare comparison lists four programs.
Four programs, four different kinds of help
The table uses Medicare’s 2026 federal monthly income limits, not a guaranteed eligibility test. Your state decides what income and resources count and may use more generous rules. The dollar amounts are for the United States; Alaska and Hawaii have slightly higher federal income limits.
| Program | What it helps pay | 2026 monthly income limit: individual | 2026 monthly income limit: married couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part A premium if owed; Part B premium; Medicare-covered deductibles and cost-sharing | $1,350 | $1,824 |
| SLMB | Part B premium only | $1,616 | $2,184 |
| QI | Part B premium only | $1,816 | $2,455 |
| QDWI | Part A premium only for certain working people with disabilities | $5,405 | $7,299 |
For QMB, SLMB and QI, Medicare lists a 2026 resource limit of $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a married couple. For QDWI, the corresponding limits are $4,000 and $6,000. States may exclude certain income or resources, so a household just above these figures should still ask its state Medicaid agency to assess eligibility.
QMB: It can pay Part A premiums if owed, Part B premiums and cost-sharing for Medicare-covered items and services. Providers generally cannot bill QMB members for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance or copayments; a small Medicaid copayment may apply. That protection does not mean every service or noncovered charge is free.
SLMB and QI: Both help with the Part B premium, not ordinary Part A/Part B deductibles or copayments by themselves. QI applicants must reapply every year; approval is first-come, first-served, with priority for people who received QI the previous year. QI is not available to people eligible for other Medicaid coverage or benefits.
QDWI: This narrower program helps pay a Part A premium for certain people with disabilities who returned to work and lost Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A. It is not the usual route for a retiree seeking help with Part B.
A worked example: $1,500 in countable monthly income
Suppose a single Medicare beneficiary has $1,500 in monthly income counted under the applicable state rules and $5,000 in countable resources, and already has Part A and Part B. Under the basic 2026 federal figures, that income is above QMB’s $1,350 limit but below SLMB’s $1,616 limit. SLMB is therefore a plausible program to ask about—not an approval prediction. State exclusions, household details and other eligibility rules can change the answer.
The standard 2026 Part B premium is $202.90 per month. If the state paid that standard premium for a full 12 months, the annual value would be $2,434.80 ($202.90 × 12). That is a comparison of premium costs, not a cash payment promise; actual help depends on approval, effective dates and the person’s premium. If the same person qualified for SLMB rather than QMB, they would still generally be responsible for Medicare-covered deductibles and cost-sharing unless another form of coverage pays them.
The drug-cost benefit many applicants miss
Qualifying for QMB, SLMB or QI also brings automatic eligibility for Medicare’s Extra Help program, which helps with Part D prescription drug costs. Extra Help is different from a Medicare Savings Program: the state program addresses Part A/Part B costs, while Extra Help addresses eligible drug-plan premiums and cost-sharing. Someone who gets help paying Part B premiums should watch for Medicare’s Extra Help notice and review any drug-plan enrollment notice; automatic help does not mean every prescription is covered at any pharmacy.
People who do not qualify automatically can apply for Extra Help separately through Social Security. Medicare says a person can apply for Extra Help and a Medicare Savings Program at the same time.
If you have QMB but receive a Medicare bill
A QMB approval can matter more than the monthly premium. For a Medicare-covered service, a provider should not charge QMB beneficiaries the Medicare deductible or coinsurance. If a bill arrives, show the provider your Medicare and Medicaid or QMB card, and ask it to correct the bill. If you already paid an improper charge, ask for a refund. Medicare’s QMB fact sheet explains these protections and steps.
If billing continues, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); TTY 1-877-486-2048. Medicare can confirm QMB status and contact the provider. If a collector keeps pursuing the disputed QMB amount, the fact sheet explains how to complain to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. First check whether the bill is for a Medicare-covered item or a separate noncovered service; the QMB protection is not a blanket ban on all medical bills.
Where to apply and what to ask
- Find your state through the Medicaid.gov state contact directory. Tell the agency you want to be screened for all applicable Medicare Savings Programs, not only QMB.
- Ask which income and assets your state counts, what documents it needs and when any premium assistance would begin. Bring available benefit notices, income records, account information and Medicare details; the state will explain its actual requirements.
- For free independent help understanding the options, contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
- If you are still arranging Part B enrollment after employer coverage, check that enrollment deadline separately. Our COBRA and Medicare Part B guide explains why COBRA does not automatically extend the ordinary enrollment window.
The useful first step is not to decide on your own that your income is too high. Ask the state for an eligibility determination, especially if your income is close to a published limit or your state disregards some resources. This guide was prepared with AI assistance using official Medicare and Medicaid sources; the state agency—not this article—makes the individual decision.
- Medicare.gov — Medicare Savings Programs (2026 limits and benefits)
- Medicare.gov — Help with drug costs and Extra Help
- Medicare.gov — 2026 Medicare Part B costs
- Medicaid.gov — State Medicaid agency contacts
- Medicare.gov — 3 Tips for QMB Members (CMS 12039, May 2025)
- SHIP Technical Assistance Center — Find local Medicare help
- Social Security — Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
TopicsTalk Desk Editor is the editorial byline for our coverage of U.S. Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and government benefits. Our articles are based on official government publications and include source links so readers can verify important figures, dates, and program rules. We use AI tools to assist with drafting and organizing information. Our publishing process includes checking factual claims against official sources and correcting identified errors. Learn more about our research, verification, and corrections process in our Editorial Policy.
