Medicare Savings Programs

If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get help paying some of your Medicare expenses through Medicare Savings Programs.

Medicare Benefits and MIPPA

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008 provides federal funding for State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), among others. This funding allows SHIIP to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries apply for programs that make Medicare affordable. Click the link below for a printable version of the information on this page.

Download Medicare Savings Programs handout

Defining Terms

Listed below are definitions and clarification of terms and eligibility you may find when researching MIPPA and other 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 home, care and life insurance.

Annual Gross Income must be below $19,560 for an individual or $26,370 for a married couple living together. 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 as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) or Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

(Amounts effective April 1, 2022)

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)

Medicare Savings Programs pay:

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:

$1,153 for individuals
$1,546 for couples

If your resources are below:

$8,400 for individuals
$12,600 for couples

Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)