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Medicare and health costs

Medicare Savings Programs in Massachusetts

MassHealth's Medicare Savings Programs, once called the MassHealth Buy-In, help pay your Medicare premiums and, at the QMB level, your deductibles, coinsurance and copays.

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From the MassHealth
An older woman in her kitchen reads a letter from the day's mail

Since March 2024 Massachusetts has had much higher income limits than the federal ones and no savings limit. You don't need to be on MassHealth to apply, and the application is short.

How to apply in Massachusetts

In person
For free one-on-one help with the application, ask for a SHINE counselor near you through MassOptions at 1-800-243-4636.
By mail
Fill out the Medicare Savings Programs application and mail or fax it to MassHealth as the form directs. You can also fill it in and submit it online from the same page.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Massachusetts

Who may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs
2026 figuresOne personMarried couple
QMB income limit$2,527 a month (190% of the poverty level)$3,427 a month (190% of the poverty level)
SLMB/QI income limit$2,993 a month (225% of the poverty level; Massachusetts treats SLMB and QI as one level)$4,058 a month (225% of the poverty level; Massachusetts treats SLMB and QI as one level)
SLMB/QI income limit$2,993 a month (225% of the poverty level; same level as SLMB)$4,058 a month (225% of the poverty level; same level as SLMB)
Savings limitNo limitNo limit

Source: MassHealth (source 2)

What you may get

What Medicare Savings Programs pays
What QMB paysYour Part B premium, your Part A premium if you have one, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays for covered services
What SLMB/QI paysYour Part B premium
What SLMB/QI paysYour Part B premium

Source: MassHealth (source 1)

How Massachusetts is different

Where Massachusetts's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicare Savings Programs.

  • No savings limit (since March 1, 2024)
  • Income limits much higher than the federal ones: QMB up to 190% of the poverty level and SLMB/QI up to 225%
  • SLMB and QI are combined into one level
  • Both levels also come with Health Safety Net coverage at acute care hospitals and community health centers

Source: MassHealth (source 3)

Good to know

  • Massachusetts updates its income limits each year on March 1.

Source: MassHealth (source 1)

Free help

Free help with this in Massachusetts

More help in Massachusetts

Medicare Savings Programs in another state

Sources

  1. MassHealth, Get help paying Medicare costs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. MassHealth, 2026 MassHealth Income Standards and Federal Poverty Guidelines (effective March 1, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. MassHealth, Program financial guidelines for certain MassHealth applicants and members (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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