Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI Explained

The Part B premium alone is a real expense: Medicare.gov lists the 2026 standard premium at $202.90 a month. For people with limited income and resources, Medicare Savings Programs can take that bill off the table, and in some cases cover deductibles, coinsurance and copayments too.

These programs are run by states, so you apply through your state rather than through Medicare. Medicare.gov's advice is direct: even if you don't think you qualify, you should still apply. This guide explains the four programs, their 2026 federal limits, the protections that come with them, and how to apply.

This is an independent guide and general information only, not financial, insurance or legal advice, and it is not affiliated with Medicare, CMS or any state agency. Your state Medicaid office decides eligibility, and your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you through the process at no cost.

What a Medicare Savings Program does

Medicare.gov describes Medicare Savings Programs as help from your state paying your Part A and Part B premiums. Depending on the program, they may also pay Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. You apply through your state, and the state decides which program fits.

There are four programs. The income limits below are monthly figures, and the resource limits are totals.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program

QMB is the most comprehensive. Medicare.gov says it helps pay Part A premiums (if you don't have premium-free Part A) and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for services and items Medicare covers.

Medicare.gov's federal limits for 2026:

• Individual: monthly income limit of $1,350 and resource limit of $9,950 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.
• Married couple: monthly income limit of $1,824 and resource limit of $14,910 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.

QMB comes with an important billing protection. Medicare.gov says Medicare providers aren't allowed to bill people in the QMB program for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. You may still get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment if one applies.

To use the protection, show your Medicare card and your Medicaid or QMB card each time you get care. With Original Medicare, a Medicare Summary Notice also shows you're in QMB. If you get a bill anyway, Medicare.gov suggests telling the provider or debt collector that you're in QMB and can't be charged. If you already paid, you have the right to a refund through your state Medicaid office. If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact the plan to stop the charges, and if a provider won't stop billing, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

SLMB and QI: help with Part B premiums

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program helps pay Part B premiums only, and you must have both Part A and Part B. Medicare.gov's federal limits for 2026:

• Individual: monthly income limit of $1,616 and resource limit of $9,950 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.
• Married couple: monthly income limit of $2,184 and resource limit of $14,910 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.

The Qualifying Individual (QI) program also helps pay Part B premiums, and you must have both Part A and Part B. Medicare.gov's federal limits for 2026:

• Individual: monthly income limit of $1,816 and resource limit of $9,950 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.
• Married couple: monthly income limit of $2,455 and resource limit of $14,910 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.

QI has three rules the others don't. You must apply every year. States approve applications first come, first served, with priority for people who got QI the previous year. And QI is only for people who don't qualify for any other Medicaid coverage or benefits. In practice, that means applying early each year matters.

Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI) program

QDWI is for a narrower group: people who have a disability, are working, and lost their Social Security disability benefits and premium-free Part A because they returned to work. It helps pay the Part A premium only. Medicare.gov's federal limits for 2026:

• Individual: monthly income limit of $5,405 and resource limit of $4,000 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.
• Married couple: monthly income limit of $7,299 and resource limit of $6,000 in 2026, per Medicare.gov.

Why the federal limits aren't the final word

Medicare.gov stresses that you may qualify in your state even if your income or resources are higher than the federal limits, because some states don't count certain types or amounts of income or resources. Income limits are also slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii.

Medicare.gov's explanation of the 2026 resource limits counts money in checking, savings or retirement accounts, plus stocks and bonds. It does not count your home, one car, a burial plot, up to $1,500 set aside for burial expenses, furniture, or other household and personal items.

For example, imagine a hypothetical widow who owns her home and car and has a modest pension. The value of the house and car doesn't count toward the resource limit, so only her bank balances, retirement accounts and investments would be weighed. Whether she qualifies depends on her state's rules, which is exactly why Medicare.gov says to apply rather than guess.

Extra benefits that come with enrollment

Being in a Medicare Savings Program unlocks other help:

• Extra Help with drug costs. Medicare.gov says people who get help from their state paying Part B premiums through a Medicare Savings Program get Extra Help automatically. Its Medicare Savings Programs page says people in QMB, SLMB or QI pay no more than $12.65 in 2026 for each covered drug.
• Relief from the Part B penalty. Medicare.gov's penalties page says you generally won't pay a Part B late enrollment penalty if you enroll in a Medicare Savings Program.

How to apply

Contact your state's Medicaid office. Medicare.gov's contact page says your state is where to find Medicare Savings Programs, get information about applying for Medicaid, and check eligibility for other state programs that help with health costs.

There is also a shortcut. If you apply for Extra Help through Social Security, Medicare.gov says Social Security sends your information to your state to start a Medicare Savings Program application unless you tell it not to.

Applying is done through your state; you don't need a middleman. Be wary of anyone who calls offering to enroll you in a savings program and asks for your Medicare Number. Medicare.gov advises giving your Medicare Number only to your doctor or people you know should have it, such as an insurer acting on your behalf or your SHIP.

Key takeaways

• Medicare Savings Programs are state-run programs that help pay Medicare premiums and, for QMB, deductibles and coinsurance too.
• For 2026, Medicare.gov lists QMB's federal limits for an individual at $1,350 a month in income and $9,950 in resources.
• People in QMB can't be billed by Medicare providers for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
• States may count income and resources more generously than the federal limits, so apply even if you think you're over.
• Enrollment brings Extra Help automatically and generally means no Part B late enrollment penalty; QI requires reapplying every year.

Sources

• Medicare.gov (CMS), Medicare Savings Programs
• Medicare.gov (CMS), Help with drug costs
• Medicare.gov (CMS), Avoid late enrollment penalties
• Medicare.gov (CMS), Contact Medicare (Talk to someone)
• Medicare.gov (CMS), Costs: What you pay in 2026
• Medicare.gov (CMS), Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse