State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Maryland. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Maryland's Medicare Savings Programs, also called the Medicare Buy-In, help pay your Medicare premiums and, at the QMB level, your deductibles, copays and coinsurance.
Maryland uses the federal income and savings limits and calls its QI level SLMB II. You apply in person or by mail through your local department of social services.
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,350 a month | $1,824 a month |
| SLMB income limit | $1,616 a month | $2,184 a month |
| SLMB II (QI) income limit | $1,816 a month | $2,455 a month |
| Savings limit | $9,950 | $14,910 |
| What QMB pays | Your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, copays and coinsurance |
|---|---|
| What SLMB pays | Your Part B premium |
| What SLMB II (QI) pays | Your Part B premium |
Free help
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Maryland. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
Newsletter
Benefit figures, deadlines and rules change every year. We'll tell you what changed and what to check, about twice a month.