Medicare and health costs

Medicare Savings Programs in South Dakota

The South Dakota Department of Social Services runs three Medicare Savings Programs that pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and coinsurance.

Checked Oct 28, 2026

From the South Dakota Department of Social Services

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

You may qualify if your income is under $1,816 a month ($2,455 for a couple) and your savings are $9,950 or less ($14,910 for a couple). You can apply online, on a paper form, or through your local DSS office.

How to apply in South Dakota

Online: eaportal.sd.gov (official government site)
By phone: 1-877-999-5612
In person: At your local Department of Social Services office. You can also send the Medicare Savings Program application (form 270) to that office.
Who runs it: South Dakota Department of Social Services (official government site)

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in South Dakota

Who may qualify for Medicare Savings Program
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 4)
SLMB income limit	$1,616 a month	$2,184 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 4)
QI income limit	Under $1,816 a month	Under $2,455 a month Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 2)
Savings limit	$9,950	$14,910 Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 1)

What you may get

What Medicare Savings Program pays
What QMB pays	Your Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and coinsurance
What SLMB pays	Your Part B premium only
What QI-1 pays	Your Part B premium only

Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 1)

Good to know

Uses the federal limits as far as we can tell. South Dakota publishes only the top income limit for the program as a whole ($1,816 for one person, $2,455 for a couple, including the $20 of income that isn't counted).
Your home, one car, burial plots and up to $1,500 for burial expenses don't count toward the savings limit.
Free help filling out the application is available from SHIINE volunteers at 1-888-854-5321.

Source: South Dakota Department of Social Services (source 2)

Free help

Free help with this in South Dakota

Senior Health Information and Insurance Education (SHIINE)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in South Dakota. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
1-888-854-5321
South Dakota Department of Human Services website (official government site)
Division of Long Term Services and Supports
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
1-800-677-1116
South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Long Term Services and Supports website (official government site)

More help in South Dakota

Medicare Savings Programs in another state

Sources

South Dakota Department of Social Services, South Dakota Medicaid Coverage Groups (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Medicare Savings Program brochure (May 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
South Dakota Department of Social Services, Medical Eligibility: 3 Ways to Apply for Medical Assistance (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services), Medicare Savings Programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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