Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Maine. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in Maine
MaineCare's Medicare Savings Programs, also called Buy-In, help pay your Medicare premiums and, at the QMB level, your deductibles and coinsurance.
Maine's income limits are far higher than the federal ones and there is no savings limit, so many people who earn too much elsewhere may qualify here. Maine has two levels, QMB and QI, instead of the usual three.
How to apply in Maine
- By phone
- 1-855-797-4357
- In person
- At one of the Maine DHHS district offices.
- By mail
- Mail the MaineCare application to Office for Family Independence, 114 Corn Shop Lane, Farmington, ME 04938. You can also email it to Farmington.DHHS@maine.gov or fax it to 207-778-8429.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Maine
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $2,461 a month (185% of the poverty level) | $3,337 a month (185% of the poverty level) |
| SLMB income limit | No separate SLMB; Maine's QMB covers this income range | No separate SLMB; Maine's QMB covers this income range |
| QI income limit | $3,325 a month (250% of the poverty level) | $4,509 a month (250% of the poverty level) |
| Savings limit | No limit | No limit |
Source: Maine Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part B premium, plus Medicare coinsurance and deductibles; it may also pay your Part A premium |
|---|---|
| What QI pays | Your Part B premium |
Source: Maine Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
How Maine is different
Where Maine's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicare Savings Programs.
- No savings limit
- Income limits much higher than the federal ones: QMB up to 185% of the poverty level and QI up to 250%
- Two levels instead of three: there is no separate SLMB, because QMB reaches well past that income range
Sources: Maine DHHS, Office of MaineCare Services (source 2), Maine Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Good to know
- You need both Medicare Part A and Part B, and QI members can't be enrolled in other MaineCare benefits.
Source: Maine Department of Health and Human Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Maine
Office of Aging and Disability Services (OADS)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Maine
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- 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
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services, 2026 MaineCare Eligibility Guidelines (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Maine DHHS, Office of MaineCare Services, Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities: Medicare Savings Programs (also called Buy-In) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Maine DHHS, Office for Family Independence, Health Care Assistance (MaineCare) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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