Medicare Savings Programs

Topics:

Help with Medicare Costs

How it Works

SHIIP-SMP can help you apply for Medicare Savings Programs. If you quality these programs may pay your Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Use our Medicare Savings Programs handout to see if you might qualify for assistance.

Defining Terms

Listed below are definitions and clarification of terms and eligibility you may find when researching Medicare Savings Programs.

Resources include items such as bank accounts, stocks, bonds, CDs, and Individual Retirement Accounts (or similar investments). Resources NOT included are your primary home, primary vehicle, care and life insurance.

Annual Gross Income includes Social Security, railroad retirement Veterans' benefits, pensions, annuities, or wages from employment.

Available Help & Eligibility

You must be enrolled in or eligible for Medicare Part A and meet the income and resource guidelines. Outlined below are the requirements for each type. If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program, you will also automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Effective January 1, 2010, any benefits paid by a Medicare Savings Program will not have to be paid back to the state when you die.

The Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Medicare Savings Program pays:

Medicare Part A and Part B premiums
Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles
Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance

If your monthly income is below:

$1,275 for individuals
$1,724 for couples

If your resources are below:

$9,430 for individuals
$14,130 for couples

The Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Medicare Savings Program pays:

Medicare Part B premium