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Apply for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) through the State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office where you live. Your state reviews your application, determines whether you qualify, and assigns the program. You can find your state office through Medicaid.gov’s state contact directory or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Apply even if you are unsure you meet the limits: state rules may be more generous than the federal screening figures.
What a Medicare Savings Program can pay for
Medicare Savings Programs are state-administered benefits that can help eligible people with Medicare pay certain Medicare costs. There are four programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB), Qualifying Individual (QI), and Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI). Which costs a program helps with depends on the category the state determines you qualify for.
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- QMB may help pay Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, as well as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered services.
- SLMB and QI help pay the Part B premium.
- QDWI helps pay the Part A premium for certain people with disabilities who are working and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work.
That distinction matters when you compare programs. QMB is the category that may help with both premiums and cost sharing for covered services. SLMB and QI are focused on the Part B premium, while QDWI has a specific Part A premium purpose and eligibility group. A program’s name or income limit alone does not tell you what assistance you will receive; look at the benefit, Medicare coverage requirements, your circumstances, and your state’s rules together.
An MSP is not the same as full-benefit Medicaid. Medicaid is a separate state program with its own eligibility rules. If you have both Medicare and full-benefit Medicaid, your state pays your Part B premium; depending on your Medicaid eligibility, it may also pay Medicare cost sharing and any Part A premium. Ask your state Medicaid office what applies to your situation.
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How to apply: the steps
- Find the Medicaid office for your state. Use Medicaid.gov’s state contact directory or call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. MSP applications go through the state, not through a single nationwide application center.
- Contact the state office and ask how to apply for an MSP. The state will explain its application process and the information it needs. Procedures vary by state, so use the instructions from the office responsible for your application.
- Ask for the current local requirements. Request the applicable application form or online process, the state’s document checklist, and instructions for checking your application status. National guidance does not establish one form, document list, or processing time for every state.
- Apply even if you appear to be over a federal limit. States may set more generous limits or disregard some income or resources. The federal figures are a screening guide, not a final eligibility decision.
- If you want QI, follow its yearly application rule. QI recipients must apply again each year. States process QI applications first come, first served, while giving priority to people who received QI in the prior year.
- Ask about help with prescription drug costs, too. You can apply for Extra Help with Medicare drug costs and an MSP at the same time. If you apply for Extra Help through Social Security, Social Security may send information to your state to start an MSP application unless you opt out on the Extra Help application.
Medicare’s application guidance puts the key instruction plainly: “You’ll apply for Medicare Savings Programs through your state.” That means the state office is the place to confirm how to submit an application, what information it wants, and how to follow up. Medicare also advises people to apply even if they do not think they qualify. A federal chart can help you prepare questions, but it cannot substitute for a state decision.
When you contact the state, be clear that you are asking about a Medicare Savings Program. If you are not sure which of the four categories fits, ask the office to screen you for the programs available based on your circumstances. You do not need to decide on your own that you qualify for one particular category before asking about an application. For example, someone focused on help with the Part B premium may ask about SLMB or QI, while someone who has a disability, is working, and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work may ask about QDWI. The state determines the applicable program under its rules.
Do not assume there is a single national application packet or required document checklist. State procedures differ, and the national guidance does not establish a universal list of records or a standard decision deadline. Ask the state office for its current requirements before submitting documents, and use its directions for delivery and status checks. If you apply online or by another method offered locally, keep track of how the office says to confirm receipt and how it will contact you if it needs more information.
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2026 federal income and resource limits
Medicare lists the following 2026 figures. Income is shown per month; resources are shown as a limit. Alaska and Hawaii have slightly higher income limits. These federal amounts can help you decide whether to contact your state, but they do not establish eligibility: state limits and rules may be more generous.
| Program | What it may pay | Individual: monthly income / resources | Married couple: monthly income / resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | Part A premium if owed; Part B premium; Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services | $1,350 / $9,950 | $1,824 / $14,910 |
| SLMB | Part B premium; applicants need Part A and Part B | $1,616 / $9,950 | $2,184 / $14,910 |
| QI | Part B premium; applicants need Part A and Part B; annual application and first-come processing apply | $1,816 / $9,950 | $2,455 / $14,910 |
| QDWI | Part A premium only, for eligible people with a disability who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work | $5,405 / $4,000 | $7,299 / $6,000 |
These are Medicare.gov’s 2026 MSP screening figures. The table does not describe every state’s income-counting rules, resource rules, or eligibility criteria. In particular, do not assume that every dollar of income or every resource is counted the same way in every state. Ask your state office how it evaluates your circumstances.
Use the table as an initial screen, not as a yes-or-no test. The federal monthly income figure and resource figure are separate parts of the screening information. A person could be under one figure and above another, or have circumstances affected by state rules that the table does not show. The state office can explain how it counts income and resources and whether it disregards any amounts. The figures should not be treated as a promise of approval or a reason to skip applying.
The 2026 amounts also differ by program. QMB, SLMB, and QI share the same listed resource limits: $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a married couple. Their monthly income limits differ, and QDWI has its own figures: $4,000 in resources for an individual and $6,000 for a married couple, with higher listed income amounts than the other programs. These contrasts are useful for deciding which questions to ask, but the state’s rules and your eligibility details still control.
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For example, the listed QI monthly income screening amount is $1,816 for an individual and $2,455 for a married couple, compared with QMB’s $1,350 and $1,824. Those figures do not mean that everyone below the higher QI amount qualifies, nor that someone slightly over a number is necessarily ineligible in every state. State limits may be more generous, and some states do not count certain income or resources. Medicare’s guidance is to apply even when you are unsure.
Which program may fit your circumstances?
QMB: premiums and Medicare cost sharing
QMB is the program in this group that may help with both premiums and cost sharing for Medicare-covered services. Medicare says providers generally may not bill QMB beneficiaries for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. A small Medicaid copayment may apply in some cases. If you believe you have QMB and receive a bill for Medicare-covered cost sharing, contact your state Medicaid office for help understanding your protections and next steps.
QMB may pay the Part A premium if you owe one, the Part B premium, and cost sharing for covered Medicare services. Its cost-sharing help is an important difference from SLMB and QI, which pay the Part B premium but do not have the QMB benefit described here. If you are comparing an unexpected bill with your program, distinguish charges for Medicare-covered deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments from other charges, and ask the state office what applies. The national guidance says providers generally may not bill QMB beneficiaries for those covered cost-sharing amounts; it also notes that a small Medicaid copayment may apply in some cases.
SLMB: help with the Part B premium
SLMB pays the Part B premium. Applicants need both Part A and Part B. It does not have the QMB cost-sharing benefit described above.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallIn the 2026 federal screening table, SLMB’s monthly income limit is $1,616 for an individual and $2,184 for a married couple; the listed resource limits are $9,950 and $14,910, respectively. These figures are not a substitute for the state’s eligibility review. If you have both Part A and Part B and are mainly seeking help with the Part B premium, ask the state to assess whether SLMB or another MSP is appropriate.
QI: Part B premium assistance with an annual application
QI pays the Part B premium, and applicants need Part A and Part B. To qualify for QI, you must not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits. QI has a yearly application requirement, and state processing is first come, first served, with priority for people who received QI in the previous year. If you are considering QI, contact your state promptly about its application process.
The 2026 listed QI monthly income limits are $1,816 for an individual and $2,455 for a married couple, with resource limits of $9,950 and $14,910. QI’s application timing is distinct from the income and resource screening: even if you were a recipient previously, you must apply each year. Prior-year recipients receive priority in the state’s first-come processing, but that does not remove the yearly application requirement. Ask the state how it handles the current year’s applications and what steps you must complete to renew.
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QDWI: Part A premium help for a specific working group
QDWI is for certain people with a disability who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work. It pays the Part A premium only. Its income and resource figures differ from those of QMB, SLMB, and QI, so compare your circumstances with the QDWI row rather than assuming the other programs’ limits apply.
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What to ask your state office
Because application procedures and eligibility rules vary by state, a short conversation with the right office can help you avoid using the wrong process. You can ask:
- How do I apply for an MSP in this state, and which program should I ask the office to screen me for?
- What documents or information does the state currently require, and how should I submit them?
- How does the state count income and resources, and are any amounts disregarded?
- How can I confirm that the application was received and check its status?
- If I am applying for QI, what is the state’s process for this year, and how does it handle applications from prior-year recipients?
- Can I apply for Medicaid as well, or should I submit a separate application for other Medicaid coverage?
- Can I apply for Extra Help and an MSP at the same time, and what happens if I apply for Extra Help through Social Security?
These are questions to put to the state rather than assumptions to make from a national checklist. The national guidance does not set a universal document list, form, or decision deadline.
It can help to separate your questions into three groups. First, ask how to start: which local application channel to use and whether the office screens applicants across MSP categories. Second, ask what the state needs from you: its current information or document requirements and how it counts income and resources. Third, ask what happens after submission: how to confirm receipt, how to respond to a request, and how to check status. This does not replace the state’s instructions; it helps ensure you have asked about each part of the process.
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Extra Help and other assistance to consider
Extra Help assists with Medicare prescription drug costs. People who receive QMB, SLMB, or QI qualify automatically for Extra Help. You can also apply for Extra Help and an MSP at the same time. When applying for Extra Help through Social Security, you can choose whether Social Security may send information to your state to initiate an MSP application; opting out means that information will not be sent for that purpose. Free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counseling is available to help with applications.
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QDWI is not included in Medicare’s stated automatic Extra Help qualification for MSP recipients. If you receive or are applying for QDWI and want drug-cost assistance, ask about applying for Extra Help directly.
Extra Help and an MSP address different expenses: Extra Help assists with Medicare drug costs, while MSPs help with specified Medicare premiums and, for QMB, cost sharing for Medicare-covered services. If prescription costs are part of the reason you are seeking help, ask about both rather than assuming an MSP application automatically addresses every drug expense. Medicare says QMB, SLMB, and QI recipients qualify automatically for Extra Help; applicants can also submit applications for Extra Help and an MSP at the same time.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIf you apply for Extra Help through Social Security, pay attention to the option about sending information to your state. Social Security may pass the information to the state to begin an MSP application unless you opt out on the Extra Help application. If you do not want to rely on that route, or want to ask about an MSP directly, contact your State Medical Assistance office. SHIP provides free counseling for people who want help applying or understanding the choices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens after you apply
Your state—not the federal screening table—decides whether you meet its rules and which MSP, if any, applies. Follow up using the status process the state gives you. If the state asks for more information, respond through its stated channel. If you are denied or the decision does not appear to account for your circumstances, ask the state office how to understand the decision and what options it provides for review. Do not rely on a national estimate for when a decision will arrive; no single processing timeframe is established for all states.
Keep the state’s instructions handy after you submit your application. If you are unsure whether it was received, use the office’s confirmation or status process rather than assuming it is being reviewed. If the state requests additional information, ask how it wants you to provide it and whether there is a response date. The national guidance does not provide a standard timeline or a universal follow-up method, so these details must come from the state handling your case.
If the state’s decision is not what you expected, ask the office to explain which program it considered, what eligibility rules it applied, and what options are available to have the decision reviewed. Do not treat the federal table as proof that a decision is wrong, because state rules can differ. At the same time, if you believe the state did not consider relevant information, raising that question with the office is a practical next step.
For a QI recipient, remember that yearly application and first-come processing are separate from the general follow-up process. Prior-year recipients receive priority, but should still ask the state what to submit and how to confirm that the new application is complete. For any MSP, the state office is the authoritative place to confirm local requirements and application status.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program?
Apply through the State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office in the state where you live. Find the office in Medicaid.gov’s state contact directory or call 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227; TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Ask the state for its current application instructions and requirements.
Can I apply if my income or resources are above the 2026 federal limits?
Yes. Medicare advises people to apply even if they are unsure they qualify. States may use more generous limits or disregard certain income or resources, so the federal figures are a screening guide rather than a final eligibility decision.
Do I have to apply for QI every year?
Yes. QI requires a new application each year. States process QI applications first come, first served and prioritize people who received QI in the previous year. Ask your state office about its current process.
Does an MSP help pay for prescription drugs?
Extra Help is the assistance program for Medicare drug costs. People receiving QMB, SLMB, or QI qualify automatically for Extra Help, and you can apply for Extra Help and an MSP at the same time. QDWI is not included in Medicare’s stated automatic qualification for Extra Help; ask about applying directly if you need drug-cost assistance.
Will I need a particular form or documents, and how long does approval take?
Those details depend on your state. National guidance does not establish one form, document checklist, or processing time for every state. Ask your State Medical Assistance office for the current local requirements and status process.
Is QMB the same as Medicaid?
No. QMB is one Medicare Savings Program, while Medicaid is a separate state-administered program with its own eligibility rules. People with both Medicare and full-benefit Medicaid may receive additional help; contact the state Medicaid office to learn what applies.
The Bottom Line
Start with your State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office: it takes MSP applications and decides which program, if any, you qualify for. Use Medicare’s 2026 limits as a screen, not a reason to rule yourself out, because state rules may be more generous. Ask about Extra Help too, especially if you need help with prescription drug costs; QMB, SLMB, and QI recipients qualify automatically.
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