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Medicare and health costs

Medicare Savings Programs in Washington

Washington Apple Health runs Medicare Savings Programs that pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, deductibles and copays.

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From the Washington State Health Care Authority
An older woman in her kitchen reads a letter from the day's mail

Washington's income limits are higher than the federal ones, and there is no savings limit. You can apply online through Washington Connection, by phone, by mail or at a DSHS Community Services Office.

How to apply in Washington

In person
Drop off your application at your local DSHS Community Services Office. The office finder is at dshs.wa.gov/office-locations.
By mail
Mail the Application for Medicare Savings Programs (HCA 13-691) to DSHS, CSD Customer Service Center, PO Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411-6699, or fax it to 1-888-338-7410. To have a paper application mailed to you, call the Health Care Authority at 1-800-562-3022, extension 16129.

Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.

Apply on the official site

Who may qualify in Washington

Who may qualify for Medicare Savings Program
2026 figuresOne personMarried couple
QMB income limit$1,463 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)$1,984 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)
SLMB income limit$1,596 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)$2,165 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)
QI income limit$1,835 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)$2,490 a month (after the first $20 of income is set aside)
Savings limitNo limitNo limit

Source: Washington State Health Care Authority (source 2)

What you may get

What Medicare Savings Program pays
What QMB paysYour Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, and copays except for prescriptions

Source: Washington State Health Care Authority (source 1)

What SLMB paysYour Part B premium

Source: Washington State Health Care Authority (source 1)

What QI-1 paysYour Part B premium, while the year's federal funding lasts

Source: Washington State Legislature (source 3)

How Washington is different

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

  • No savings limit
  • Income limits higher than the federal ones: QMB up to 110% of the federal poverty level and QI-1 up to 138%

Sources: Washington State Health Care Authority (source 1), Washington State Legislature (source 3)

Good to know

  • Washington takes $20 off your household's monthly income before comparing it with these limits, so the limits shown are what's left after that $20.

Source: Washington State Health Care Authority (source 2)

Free help

Free help with this in Washington

More help in Washington

Medicare Savings Programs in another state

Sources

  1. Washington State Health Care Authority, Medicare Savings Program (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  2. Washington State Health Care Authority, Medicare Savings Programs: Save Money on Medicare (HCA 22-500, 05/26) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  3. Washington State Legislature, WAC 182-517-0100 Medicare savings programs (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
  4. Washington State Health Care Authority, Application for Medicare Savings Programs (HCA 13-691) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.

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