West Virginia State Health Insurance Assistance Program (WV SHIP)
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling in West Virginia. Trained counselors go through your costs and choices with you, and they don't sell plans.
Medicare and health costs
Medicare Savings Programs in West Virginia
West Virginia calls its Medicare Savings Programs Medicare Premium Assistance. They pay your Medicare Part B premium, and with QMB also your Part A premium, coinsurance and deductibles.
West Virginia uses the federal income and savings limits, and you can apply online through WV PATH, by phone, or at your county Department of Human Services office.
How to apply in West Virginia
- By phone
- 1-877-716-1212
- In person
- At your local county Department of Human Services office. The state's Field Offices page lists every county office.
- By mail
- The paper application for these programs is form DFA-QSQ-1. Ask your county Department of Human Services office for one.
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in West Virginia
| 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 3) |
| SLIMB income limit | $1,616 a month | $2,184 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 3) |
| QI-1 income limit | $1,816 a month | $2,455 a month Source: Medicare.gov (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) (source 3) |
| Savings limit | $9,950 | $14,910 Source: West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Family Assistance (source 1) |
What you may get
| What QMB pays | Your Part A and Part B premiums and all Medicare coinsurance and deductibles, including for nursing facility care |
|---|---|
| What SLIMB pays | Your Part B premium |
| What QI-1 pays | Your Part B premium |
Source: West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Family Assistance (source 1)
Good to know
- Uses the federal limits as far as we can tell. West Virginia's eligibility manual sets QMB at 100% of the federal poverty level, SLIMB at 120% and QI-1 at 135%.
- West Virginia takes $20 off your monthly income before comparing it with its own table, which lists $1,330 for QMB and $1,596 for SLIMB for one person in 2026. Those line up with the federal $1,350 and $1,616.
Sources: West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Family Assistance (source 1), West Virginia Office of Inspector General, Board of Review (source 2)
Free help
Free help with this in West Virginia
Bureau of Senior Services
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in West Virginia
Medicare Savings Programs in another state
- Alabama
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- California
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- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
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- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
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- Kentucky
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- Maine
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- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- West Virginia Department of Human Services, Bureau for Family Assistance, West Virginia Income Maintenance Manual (Chapters 1, 4 and 23) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- West Virginia Office of Inspector General, Board of Review, Decision of State Hearing Officer, April 9, 2026 (quotes Income Maintenance Manual Chapter 4, Appendix A) (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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