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Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in California
In California, Medi-Cal runs the Medicare Savings Programs through county social services offices.
They pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and coinsurance. Since January 1, 2026, California again has a savings limit for these programs, but it is far higher than the federal one: $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for a couple.
How to apply in California
- Online
- benefitscal.com
- In person
- At your county Medi-Cal office. You can also call that office to apply by phone.
- By mail
- Download a Medi-Cal application from DHCS and mail it to your county Medi-Cal office.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in California
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,350 a month | $1,824 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 5) |
| SLMB income limit | $1,616 a month | $2,184 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 5) |
| QI-1 income limit | $1,816 a month | $2,455 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 5) |
| Savings limit | $130,000 | $195,000 Source: County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook) (source 1) |
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Medicare premiums (Part B, and Part A if you don't get it free), deductibles and coinsurance |
|---|---|
| What SLMB pays | Your Part B premium only |
| What QI-1 pays | Your Part B premium only |
Source: County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook) (source 2)
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Medi-Cal savings limit change (July 1, 2027) | Medi-Cal's savings limit for people 65 and older drops to $21,000 for one person and $31,000 for two people. DHCS doesn't say whether this also applies to the Medicare Savings Programs. |
|---|
Source: California Department of Health Care Services (source 6)
How California is different
Where California's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicare Savings Programs.
- Savings limit far higher than the federal one: $130,000 for one person and $195,000 for a couple, reinstated January 1, 2026 after two years with no limit
- The savings limit goes up by $65,000 for each additional person in the household, up to 10 people
Sources: County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook) (source 1), California Department of Health Care Services (source 6)
Good to know
- Income limits: uses the federal limits as far as we can tell. The county Medi-Cal handbook sets them at 100% (QMB), 120% (SLMB) and 135% (QI-1) of the federal poverty level after a $20 income disregard, the same formula as the federal limits.
- Your main home, one vehicle and household items don't count toward the savings limit.
Sources: County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook) (source 1), California Department of Health Care Services (source 6)
Free help
Free help with this in California
California Department of Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in California
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook), MSP Income Limits and Property Limits (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook), Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- County of Santa Clara Social Services Agency (Medi-Cal program handbook), Qualifying Individual (QI-1) Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), Medicare Savings Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Asset Limit Frequently Asked Questions (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Contact Us (Medi-Cal) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- California Department of Health Care Services, Apply for Medi-Cal (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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