Medicare Savings Programs Explained: QMB, SLMB, QI and QDWI

Use this before you call.

Want to see how a Medicare Savings Program fits with your Medicare plan? Call GetFastRates.com and a licensed agent will walk through it.

Contact your state Medicaid office or look up your state's Medicare Savings Program application.

Apply even if you think your income is too high, because states count income and resources differently.

Gather proof of income and resources, your Medicare card and your ID.

Ask which program you qualify for and when help starts.

If you qualify for QI, mark your calendar to reapply every year.

Call us if you want to review your Medicare plan with this help in mind.

What each program does

All four programs are designed to lower what you pay for Medicare. Which one you get depends on your income and resources and your state's rules.

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): helps pay Part A premiums if you do not have premium-free Part A, Part B premiums, and Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for services Medicare covers.
Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB): helps pay Part B premiums. You need both Part A and Part B.
Qualifying Individual (QI): helps pay Part B premiums. You need both Part A and Part B, you must apply every year, and states approve applications first-come, first-served, with priority to people who got QI the year before.
Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI): helps pay the Part A premium for people with a disability who lost premium-free Part A because they returned to work.

Why it is worth applying

If you qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, you also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs. If you are in QMB, Medicare providers are not allowed to bill you for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. If you get such a bill, you should ask the provider to stop and call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Show your Medicare card and your Medicaid or QMB card every time you get care.
You may still get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment, if one applies.

Why we do not print income numbers

The income and resource limits go up every year, and each state can count income and resources differently. You may qualify in your state even if your income or resources look higher than the federal limits. The only reliable answer comes from your state, so ask them.

Common questions about this topic

Who runs these programs?

Your state. You apply through your state's Medicaid office, and your state decides which program, if any, you qualify for.

Can I get help with drug costs too?

Yes. If you qualify for QMB, SLMB or QI, you also get Extra Help paying for your Medicare drug plan.

What if I am turned down?

Ask why and whether your state counts certain income or assets differently. Rules and limits change, so it can be worth applying again later.

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Tools that can help

Medicare Enrollment Period CalculatorFind your Medicare enrollment window and what it means for your timing.Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty CalculatorEstimate whether a Part B late enrollment penalty could apply to you.Medicare Plan Ending FinderCheck your carrier and ZIP code against current, verified plan-ending records.

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