Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs are run by your state and pay your Medicare Part B premium, and sometimes much more. There are three for most people: QMB, SLMB and QI. They're for people with Medicare whose income and savings are limited, and all three also bring Extra Help with drug costs.
Rules in your state
Your state runs Medicare Savings Programs, so the name, the limits and how to apply depend on where you live.
Who may qualify
| One person | Married couple | |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit (2026) | $1,350 a month | $1,824 a month |
| Savings limit (2026) | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| SLMB income limit (2026) | $1,616 a month | $2,184 a month |
| QI income limit (2026) | $1,816 a month | $2,455 a month |
| Savings that don't count | Your home, one car, a burial plot, up to $1,500 set aside for burial, furniture and other household items |
|---|
Source: Medicare.gov (source 1)
What you may get
| Part B premium paid for you (2026 standard amount) | $202.90 a month |
|---|---|
| What QMB pays | Your Part B premium, your Part A premium if you don't get it free, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays Source: Medicare.gov (source 1) |
| What SLMB pays | Your Part B premium only Source: Medicare.gov (source 1) |
| What QI pays | Your Part B premium only Source: Medicare.gov (source 1) |
| Extra Help with drug costs | Comes with it. In 2026 you pay no more than $12.65 for each covered drug Source: Medicare.gov (source 1) |
| Most you pay per drug with Extra Help (2027) | $5.80 for a generic, $14.40 for a brand-name drug Source: Medicare.gov (source 4) |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| QI renewal | Apply every year. States approve QI first-come, first-served, with priority for people who had it the year before |
|---|
Source: Medicare.gov (source 1)
Good to know
- Your state runs these programs, and their names and rules may vary by state.
- You apply through your state, and your state may allow more income or savings than the federal limits shown here. Income limits are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.
- To get the phone number for your state's Medicaid office, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
- If you apply for Extra Help through Social Security, it sends your information to your state to start a Medicare Savings Program application, unless you tell it not to.
- Medicare Savings Programs aren't available in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa.
- A fourth program, QDWI, pays the Part A premium for some people with a disability who lost premium-free Part A because they went back to work.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (source 3), Medicare.gov (source 1)
What people get wrong
MythI own my home and a car, so my savings are too high.
Not true. States don't count your home, one car, a burial plot, up to $1,500 set aside for burial, or your furniture and household items.
MythMy income is a little over the limit, so there's no point applying.
Not true. Some states don't count certain income or savings, so you may qualify in your state even above the federal limits. Medicare says to apply even if you don't think you qualify.
MythI'd have to apply separately for help with drug costs.
No. If your state pays your Part B premium through a Medicare Savings Program, you get Extra Help with drug costs automatically.
Medicare Savings Programs in every state
| State | What it's called | QMB income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Alaska | MSP | $1,663 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Arizona | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Arkansas | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| California | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Colorado | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Connecticut | MSP | $2,807 a month (211% of the poverty level) |
| Delaware | Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Programs (MSP) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| District of Columbia | Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program (MSP) | $4,010 a month |
| Florida | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Georgia | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Hawaii | MSP | $1,530 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Idaho | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Illinois | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $25 of income is set aside) |
| Indiana | MSP | $1,995 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Iowa | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Kansas | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Kentucky | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Louisiana | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Maine | MSP | $2,461 a month (185% of the poverty level) |
| Maryland | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Massachusetts | MSP | $2,527 a month (190% of the poverty level) |
| Michigan | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Minnesota | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Mississippi | Medicare Cost-Sharing (MSP) | $1,380 a month |
| Missouri | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Montana | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Nebraska | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Nevada | Medicare Beneficiaries (MSP) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| New Hampshire | Medicare Beneficiaries Savings Program (MSP) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income and other allowed deductions are set aside) |
| New Jersey | MSP | $15,960 a year (after the first $20 a month of income is set aside) |
| New Mexico | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| New York | MSP | $1,856 a month |
| North Carolina | Medicare Qualified Beneficiaries (MQB) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| North Dakota | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Ohio | Medicare Premium Assistance Program (MPAP) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Oklahoma | SoonerCare Supplemental (MSP) | $1,350 a month |
| Oregon | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Pennsylvania | Healthy Horizons (MSP) | $1,350 a month |
| Rhode Island | Medicare Premium Payment Program (MSP) | $1,683 a month |
| South Carolina | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| South Dakota | MSP | $1,350 a month |
| Tennessee | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Texas | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Utah | Medicare Cost-Sharing Programs (MSP) | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Vermont | MSP | $1,995 a month |
| Virginia | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Washington | MSP | $1,463 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| West Virginia | Medicare Premium Assistance (MSP) | $1,350 a month |
| Wisconsin | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
| Wyoming | MSP | $1,330 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside) |
Sources
- Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare & You 2027 (the official Medicare handbook) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Medicare.gov, Help with drug costs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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