Medicare Savings Programs: 2026 Income Limits & How to Qualify (QMB, SLMB, QI)
Medicare Savings Programs help pay your Medicare premiums and costs if your income is limited. See the 2026 income and asset limits for QMB, SLMB, and QI, and how to apply.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state-run programs that help pay your Medicare costs, starting with your Part B premium, if your income and assets are below certain limits. For 2026, a single person can often qualify with a monthly income up to about $1,816, and the limits are higher in many states. There are three main programs (QMB, SLMB, and QI), each covering different costs, and qualifying for any of them also enrolls you automatically in Extra Help for prescription drugs.
What are the Medicare Savings Programs?
MSPs are run by each state's Medicaid office, but they are separate from full Medicaid. They exist to keep Medicare affordable for people with limited income. There are three main programs, plus a fourth for working people with disabilities:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) pays the most: your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) pays your Part B premium.
- QI (Qualifying Individual) also pays your Part B premium, but funding is limited and granted first-come, first-served, so apply early each year.
- QDWI (Qualified Disabled and Working Individual) helps pay the Part A premium for certain working people with disabilities.
2026 income limits
These are the 2026 federal baseline monthly income limits. They already include the standard $20 income disregard, so they are the effective cutoffs. Many states use higher limits, and Alaska and Hawaii are higher, so do not rule yourself out based on this table alone.
| Program | Monthly income (individual) | Monthly income (married couple) |
|---|---|---|
| QMB | $1,350 | $1,824 |
| SLMB | $1,616 | $2,184 |
| QI | $1,816 | $2,455 |
What each program pays
| Cost | QMB | SLMB | QI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B premium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A premium (if you owe one) | Yes | No | No |
| Part A and B deductibles | Yes | No | No |
| Coinsurance and copays | Yes | No | No |
| Automatic Extra Help (Part D) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
QMB is the most comprehensive: it can wipe out nearly all of your out-of-pocket Medicare costs. SLMB and QI focus on covering the monthly Part B premium, which is $202.90 in 2026.
2026 asset (resource) limits
Most MSPs also look at your countable resources, such as money in checking, savings, stocks, and bonds:
| Program | Resource limit (individual) | Resource limit (couple) |
|---|---|---|
| QMB and SLMB | $9,660 | $14,470 |
| QI | $9,950 | $14,910 |
Your home, one car, household goods, burial plots, and life insurance with a face value under $1,500 do not count. Two important exceptions work in your favor: as of 2026, more than a dozen states have eliminated the asset test entirely, and other states set higher limits. If you are close to the limit, it is worth applying anyway.
Source and date: figures are the 2026 federal baseline limits (National Council on Aging / Medicare Rights Center). MSP limits vary by state and update each year. Your state may allow more income or assets than shown here. This page is for general information.
How to apply for a Medicare Savings Program
You apply through your state Medicaid office, not Social Security:
- Gather proof of income (Social Security award letter, pension statements) and resources (recent bank statements).
- Contact your state Medicaid office or apply online through your state's benefits portal.
- If approved, your Part B premium is no longer deducted from your Social Security check, and QMB enrollees also stop paying most other Medicare costs.
Once you qualify for any MSP, you are automatically enrolled in Extra Help, which lowers your Part D prescription drug costs to a few dollars or less.
Common questions about Medicare Savings Programs
What is the QMB program?
QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) is the most comprehensive Medicare Savings Program. It pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, so providers cannot bill you for those Medicare cost-shares.
Who qualifies for a Medicare Savings Program?
You qualify based on your monthly income and, in most states, your countable assets. At the 2026 federal baseline, a single person can qualify with income up to $1,816 (QI), and many states allow more. You must have Medicare Part A to enroll.
What is the income limit for a Medicare Savings Program in 2026?
At the federal baseline, a single person can qualify with a monthly income up to $1,350 (QMB), $1,616 (SLMB), or $1,816 (QI). Many states allow higher income, so check your state's rules.
Can I get Medicare Part B for free?
Effectively, yes. All three main Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, and QI) pay your monthly Part B premium, so it is no longer deducted from your Social Security check. QMB also covers your Part A premium, deductibles, and coinsurance on top of that.
Do Medicare Savings Programs vary by state?
Yes. States run these programs and can set higher income and asset limits than the federal minimum. As of 2026, more than a dozen states have removed the asset test entirely.
Is QMB the same as full Medicaid?
No. QMB (like the other Medicare Savings Programs) helps pay your Medicare costs, while full Medicaid is broader coverage. Some people qualify for both, which makes them dual eligible.
Do my retirement accounts and home count against me?
Your home and one vehicle do not count. Whether retirement accounts count depends on your state. Many states either exclude them or have no asset test at all.
Not sure which program you qualify for, or whether your state has higher limits? Eligibility rules change by state and are easy to misread. A licensed Medicare Advocate can check your situation and help you apply, at no cost. Give us a call.