State Health Insurance Program (SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in Vermont. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in Vermont
Vermont's Medicare Savings Program helps pay your Medicare premiums, and with QMB also your deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
Vermont's income limits are well above the federal ones, and there is no savings limit, so only your income is checked. Vermont ended its SLMB program at the end of 2025 and moved those members into QMB, which pays more.
How to apply in Vermont
- By phone
- 1-800-250-8427
- In person
- For free in-person help with the application, contact a certified Assister through Vermont Health Connect. The Department of Vermont Health Access office in Waterbury does not take walk-ins; the state lists its district offices instead.
- By mail
- If you want help with Medicare costs only, mail the 201P Pharmacy Programs Application; if you are also applying for Medicaid, mail the 205ALLMED application. Send either to Green Mountain Care, Application and Document Processing Center, 280 State Drive, Waterbury, VT 05671-1500.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Vermont
| 2026 figures | One person | Married couple |
|---|---|---|
| QMB income limit | $1,995 a month | $2,707 a month |
| SLMB income limit | Vermont ended SLMB on December 31, 2025. Incomes in that range are now covered by QMB. | Vermont ended SLMB on December 31, 2025. Incomes in that range are now covered by QMB. |
| QI income limit | $2,685 a month | $3,645 a month |
| Savings limit | No limit | No limit |
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copays for services Medicare covers |
|---|---|
| What QI pays | Your Part B premium |
How Vermont is different
Where Vermont's rules differ from the federal rules for Medicare Savings Programs.
- No savings limit
- QMB income limit higher than the federal one: up to 150% of the federal poverty level
- QI income limit higher than the federal one: up to 202% of the federal poverty level
- No separate SLMB program since January 1, 2026; SLMB members were moved to QMB
Good to know
- Starting April 1, 2026, relatives who live with you and depend on you or your spouse for at least half of their support may count in your household, which can help you qualify. The state asks you to call and tell it how many such relatives you have.
- To get QI you can't be getting other federally funded medical help, such as Medicaid.
Free help
Free help with this in Vermont
Adult Services Division
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Vermont
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
- 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
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Department of Vermont Health Access, Medicare Savings Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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