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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsTo apply for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP), contact your state’s State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office and ask to apply. The state decides which program, if any, you qualify for. MSPs can pay the Medicare Part B premium; the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) program can also cover Medicare cost sharing for covered services and items. Apply even if your income or savings seem above the federal screening limits: states may use more generous rules, and the only way to know if you qualify is to apply.
Where to apply
Start with your state’s State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office, not with a separate application to Medicare. Medicare directs applicants to their state Medicaid office because the state administers MSP applications and determines eligibility. Find the appropriate office through Medicaid.gov, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Medicare’s Medicare Savings Programs page and 2027 handbook describe the state application route.
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Ask the state office how to apply for a Medicare Savings Program and what records it needs. There is no single national MSP application form or uniform document checklist in the nationwide Medicare guidance. Application channels, requested evidence, processing details, deadlines, and effective dates can vary by state. The state office can tell you which application route applies where you live and whether it can consider you for more than one MSP category.
When you call or contact the office, be specific: say that you want to be screened for help with Medicare costs through an MSP. Ask whether the office uses one application for multiple categories, whether it will consider you for every potentially relevant category, and how to submit additional information if requested. These are questions to ask, not nationally standardized application steps; your state sets its own process.
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Check the 2026 federal screening limits
The figures below are 2026 monthly income and resource limits published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). They are a federal screening guide, not a definitive state eligibility decision. Alaska and Hawaii have slightly higher income limits; the figures for those states are not shown here. States may set higher limits or exclude some income or resources. The limits can change each year, so check the current figures when you apply. CMS lists the program rules on its Medicare Savings Programs page and in its April 2026 brochure.
| Program | 2026 monthly income limit: individual | 2026 monthly income limit: married couple | 2026 resource limit: individual / couple | What the program can pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350 | $1,824 | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part A premium if owed, Part B premium, and Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for covered services and items |
| SLMB | $1,616 | $2,184 | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part B premium |
| QI | $1,816 | $2,455 | $9,950 / $14,910 | Part B premium |
| QDWI | $5,405 | $7,299 | $4,000 / $6,000 | Part A premium only, for certain disabled people who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work |
Each limit is attributed to CMS for 2026. For QMB, SLMB, and QI, the table gives the monthly income limits for individuals and couples and the shared resource limits; QDWI has different income and resource limits. The national figures alone do not establish which assets or income a state counts, or how it treats a particular household. Ask the state office how it applies its rules to your circumstances, including income from work. Do not assume that a resource or income item is counted or excluded without checking with the state.
Income limits and resource limits are separate screens. Being under one figure does not by itself establish eligibility if the other figure, program conditions, or state rules do not fit. Likewise, being over a federal amount does not automatically mean you are ineligible under your state’s rules. Use the chart to prepare questions for the state, not as a substitute for its determination.
The married-couple figures are the federal monthly screening amounts shown by CMS, but the state determines how it evaluates the applicant’s household and what it counts. If your circumstances do not look like a straightforward individual or married-couple case, explain them to the state office instead of trying to force them into a calculation based on the chart alone.
Choose the program based on the help you need
MSPs are not interchangeable: QMB can help with Medicare cost sharing as well as premiums, while SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium. QDWI addresses a narrower situation involving a Part A premium. The state determines the category you qualify for under its rules.
QMB: Part B premium and Medicare cost sharing
QMB can pay the Part B premium, a Part A premium if you owe one, and deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for Medicare-covered services and items. A provider may not bill a QMB participant for those Medicare-covered cost-sharing amounts. A small Medicaid copayment may still apply. If approved, carry your Medicare and Medicaid or QMB identification when receiving covered care so providers can identify your status. See CMS’s program descriptions for the QMB protections.
The distinction between a premium and cost sharing matters when comparing the programs. A premium is the recurring amount for Medicare coverage; deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments are amounts that may be due when you receive covered care. QMB’s cost-sharing protection applies to Medicare-covered services and items. It should not be read as a promise that every service, item, or charge is covered by Medicare or that no Medicaid copayment can ever apply.
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SLMB and QI: Part B premium assistance
SLMB and QI can pay the Part B premium; neither program’s benefit description includes Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. Applicants for both must have Medicare Part A and Part B. QI is for people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits. States approve QI applications on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority for people who received QI in the prior year. QI recipients must reapply every year, and available funding can affect whether an application is approved. If you are considering QI, ask the state office how renewal and funding work in your state.
QI has two practical differences from simply comparing the income amounts in the chart: it is aimed at people who do not qualify for other Medicaid coverage or benefits, and its funding is limited. Prior-year QI recipients receive priority, but they still need to reapply each year. If you had QI before, contact the state about renewal rather than assuming last year’s approval carries forward. If this would be your first application, ask how the state handles available funding and when it can tell you the outcome.
QDWI: Part A premium help in a specific work-and-disability situation
QDWI pays the Part A premium only. It is for certain disabled people who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work. Its income and resource limits differ from those for QMB, SLMB, and QI, as shown in the table. If this description might fit you, explain your Part A and work situation to the state office and ask whether you should apply for QDWI as well as any other MSP.
QDWI is not the program to choose simply because its income limit is higher than the other amounts shown. Its purpose and eligibility circumstances are narrower, and it does not pay the Part B premium. If your main concern is the Part B premium, ask the state to screen you for QMB, SLMB, or QI as appropriate, while also mentioning any disability and work history that could make QDWI relevant.
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Apply step by step
- Contact the state Medicaid office. Ask specifically to apply for a Medicare Savings Program. Use Medicaid.gov to locate your state office, or call Medicare for help finding the right contact. The state, rather than Medicare, makes the eligibility decision.
- Ask about the application channel and evidence. Find out whether your state accepts applications online, by mail, by phone, in person, or through another route, and which documents it wants. Those details are state-specific; do not rely on a checklist from another state as if it were universal.
- Describe your Medicare coverage and household situation. Be ready to discuss your Part A and Part B enrollment, monthly income, resources, whether you are married, disability or work circumstances, and any other Medicaid coverage or benefits. Ask which MSP categories the office will consider. In particular, applicants for SLMB and QI must have both Part A and Part B, while QDWI applies to a particular disabled-working circumstance.
- Ask how the state counts your income and resources. Compare your situation with the 2026 federal limits, but also ask about state limits and exclusions. Work income and state exclusions can affect the calculation. If you appear over a federal figure, or are unsure how an item is counted, apply or ask the office to assess your case rather than ruling yourself out.
- Submit the application using the state’s instructions. Keep a copy of what you send and note when and how you submitted it. Ask the office how it will contact you, whether it needs anything else, and how to check the status. National guidance does not establish a single processing time, deadline, or effective date for all states.
- Follow up on the state’s decision and next steps. If approved for QI, ask how and when to renew for the following year. If approved for QMB, carry your Medicare and Medicaid or QMB identification when receiving covered care.
- Ask about Extra Help if you are approved for QMB, SLMB, or QI. Approval for any of these three programs automatically qualifies you for Medicare drug-cost Extra Help. Medicare’s 2027 handbook explains this connection.
It can be useful to write down the name of the office or representative you contact, the date, and the instructions you receive. Keep copies of what you submit and any notices the state sends. These are sensible ways to keep track of your own application; they do not replace any recordkeeping instructions or deadlines the state gives you.
If you are unsure which information to provide, ask the state office rather than sending records it has not requested or relying on an online checklist from another jurisdiction. The nationwide guidance does not establish one required list of documents. Follow the state’s requests and contact it if you do not understand what it needs or how to respond.
If you think your income or savings are too high
Do not treat the federal chart as a pass-or-fail test for every state. States may use higher income or resource limits or exclude certain amounts from their calculations. The treatment of work income and particular resources depends on the applicable state rules, so ask the office to explain how it will assess your specific situation. CMS’s April 2026 brochure puts the practical point plainly: “The only way to know if you qualify is to apply.”
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It can also help to ask the state to consider the full set of MSP categories rather than focusing only on the first program whose federal income limit you meet. The programs differ in benefits, eligibility conditions, and limits. QMB includes Medicare cost-sharing help; SLMB and QI provide Part B premium assistance; QDWI is limited to qualifying disabled people who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work. The state can determine which category fits your circumstances.
If your monthly income includes earnings from work, tell the state office that and ask how those earnings are treated. The fact that a federal table lists an income limit does not answer whether a specific amount is counted under your state’s rules. The same caution applies to savings or other resources: ask the state how it defines and evaluates them rather than assuming that a particular account or asset automatically counts or does not count.
What to expect after applying
The state—not Medicare—reviews the application and decides whether you qualify. Because the process is state-administered, the national guidance does not establish one set of forms, document requirements, deadlines, processing times, or coverage start dates. Confirm these points with the state office, and respond to any request for information using the instructions and deadline it provides.
If the state approves QMB, the protection from provider billing applies to Medicare-covered services and items’ deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments; it does not mean every service or charge is covered by Medicare. A small Medicaid copayment may apply. For approved QI recipients, annual reapplication is required, and states prioritize prior-year recipients when approving applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
After you apply, use the state’s directions to learn how it will communicate a decision and whether it needs further information. If you receive an approval, make sure you understand which MSP category was approved and what it pays. If you are not approved, the national materials cited here do not establish one appeal process or deadline for every state; ask the state office to explain the notice and any next steps available where you live.
Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
MSP assistance can connect to help beyond the Part B premium. People approved for QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program for prescription drug costs. This automatic qualification applies to these three categories; do not assume QDWI approval alone has the same effect. If the state approves you for one of the qualifying programs, ask how to confirm your Extra Help status and what to expect for your drug coverage.
Extra Help is separate from the MSP benefit itself: QMB, SLMB, and QI provide the Medicare premium or cost-sharing help described above, while Extra Help concerns Medicare drug costs. Mention it when discussing the outcome with your state office, and consult Medicare’s 2027 handbook for the program connection.
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When Medicare and Medicaid both apply
Some people have full-benefit Medicaid in addition to Medicare, while others receive help through an MSP without qualifying for full Medicaid benefits. The programs can interact in how premiums and cost sharing are handled. CMS explains the relationship on its Medicaid and Medicare page. When you contact your state, mention any Medicaid coverage you already have and ask how it affects which MSPs or other benefits the state will consider.
Having Medicare and Medicaid, or receiving an MSP, does not mean the programs are identical. An MSP can help pay specified Medicare costs even when someone does not have full-benefit Medicaid. Because the state administers the eligibility decision and the interaction can depend on the person’s benefits, ask the state to explain which assistance applies to you rather than assuming one type of coverage automatically includes all the others.
Free help understanding your options
If you want help understanding Medicare choices or preparing questions, Medicare’s official information and 1-800-MEDICARE are starting points. State Medicaid offices handle the MSP application and eligibility decision. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) can also offer free Medicare counseling. A counselor can help you understand program differences and identify questions to ask, but the state Medicaid office is the place to apply and determine eligibility.
Be cautious about anyone who promises approval or asks you to pay for access to an MSP application. The official application route described by Medicare is through the state Medicaid office, and the national guidance does not identify a paid application service as necessary. Use official Medicare and state contacts to verify any offer before sharing personal information or paying a fee.
If you live in a U.S. territory
The 2027 Medicare handbook says Medicare Savings Programs are unavailable in U.S. territories. If you live in a territory, ask your local assistance office about territory-specific help with Medicare costs rather than assuming that the state MSP application route or limits apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply for a Medicare Savings Program?
Apply through your state’s State Medical Assistance (Medicaid) office. Find the office through Medicaid.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE at 1-800-633-4227 for help finding the right contact. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. The state—not Medicare—decides eligibility.
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What are the 2026 income limits for QMB, SLMB, and QI?
CMS lists monthly individual and married-couple limits of $1,350 and $1,824 for QMB; $1,616 and $2,184 for SLMB; and $1,816 and $2,455 for QI. Alaska and Hawaii have slightly higher income limits. States may use higher limits or exclude some income, so ask your state office how it applies its rules.
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Can an MSP pay my Part B premium?
Yes. QMB, SLMB, and QI can pay the Part B premium. QMB can also pay a Part A premium if you owe one and Medicare cost sharing for covered services and items. QDWI pays a Part A premium only and is for certain disabled people who work and lost premium-free Part A after returning to work.
What if my income or savings are above the federal limits?
Apply or ask your state Medicaid office to assess your situation. States may use higher limits or exclude certain income or resources, and the treatment of work income and particular resources depends on state rules. CMS says, “The only way to know if you qualify is to apply.”
Does QMB mean providers cannot bill me for Medicare cost sharing?
For Medicare-covered services and items, QMB participants may not be billed for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments. A small Medicaid copayment may still apply, and QMB does not mean every service or charge is covered by Medicare.
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Yes. QI recipients must reapply annually. States approve QI applications first-come, first-served and prioritize people who received QI in the prior year. Ask your state office how renewal and available funding affect your application.
Does approval for an MSP also qualify me for Extra Help?
Approval for QMB, SLMB, or QI automatically qualifies you for Medicare drug-cost Extra Help. The stated automatic qualification applies to those three programs; do not assume QDWI alone has the same effect.
Is there one national MSP form or document checklist?
No single national application form or uniform document checklist is established in Medicare’s nationwide guidance. Application channels, evidence requests, processing times, deadlines, and effective dates can vary by state. Ask your state Medicaid office what it requires.
The Bottom Line
Apply through your state Medicaid office, even if you are unsure you meet the federal limits. QMB, SLMB, and QI can pay the Part B premium, while QMB can also protect you from Medicare cost-sharing bills for covered care. Ask the state how it counts your income and resources, which application route and records it requires, and whether you qualify for more than one program.
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