If paying your monthly Medicare Part B premium is squeezing your budget, you may not have to pay it at all. Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are state-run programs that use Medicaid funds to cover Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for people with limited income and resources. Here are 7 key facts about the 2026 QMB, SLMB, and QI programs — including the current income limits and exactly how to apply.

1. What Are Medicare Savings Programs

Medicare Savings Programs are administered by each state’s Medicaid agency, but they’re funded specifically to help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay their Medicare costs — not to provide full Medicaid coverage. There are four MSP tiers, and which one you qualify for depends on your monthly income and countable resources (savings, stocks, bonds — your home and one car are generally not counted):

• QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
• SLMB — Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
• QI — Qualifying Individual
• QDWI — Qualified Disabled & Working Individual

Each tier covers a different slice of your Medicare costs, and the income limits get higher as the coverage gets narrower.

2. QMB Is the Most Generous Tier

QMB is the broadest MSP. If you qualify, it pays your Part A premium (if you have one), your Part B premium, and your Part A/B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Providers who accept Medicare and Medicaid generally cannot bill you for these costs at all.

For 2026, the QMB income and resource limits are:

• Individual: monthly income up to $1,350; resources up to $9,950
• Married couple: monthly income up to $1,824; resources up to $14,910

Qualifying for QMB (or SLMB or QI) also automatically enrolls you in Extra Help, the federal program that lowers Part D prescription drug costs. In 2026, Extra Help caps what you pay at no more than $12.65 for each drug your Medicare drug plan covers.

3. SLMB Covers Just the Part B Premium

SLMB is a step up in income from QMB, but the coverage is narrower — it only pays your Medicare Part B premium (currently the standard premium is $202.90/month for most people in 2026, though it can be higher based on income). It does not cover deductibles or coinsurance.

2026 SLMB limits:

• Individual: monthly income up to $1,616; resources up to $9,950
• Married couple: monthly income up to $2,184; resources up to $14,910

4. QI Also Covers Only Part B — But It’s First-Come, First-Served

QI works like SLMB (Part B premium only) but at a slightly higher income threshold. The catch: QI has limited annual state funding, so approval is first-come, first-served, and priority goes to people who were enrolled in QI the previous year. You also have to reapply every single year — enrollment doesn’t automatically continue.

2026 QI limits:

• Individual: monthly income up to $1,816; resources up to $9,950
• Married couple: monthly income up to $2,455; resources up to $14,910

Note: you cannot qualify for QI if you also qualify for Medicaid.

5. QDWI Is for People Who Lost Premium-Free Part A

QDWI is the outlier of the four programs. It’s designed for people under 65 with a disability who went back to work and, as a result, lost their premium-free Part A. QDWI pays the Part A premium only.

Because it’s meant for working people, the income limit is much higher — but the resource limit is lower:

• Individual: monthly income up to $5,405; resources up to $4,000
• Married couple: monthly income up to $7,299; resources up to $6,000

6. How to Apply

There’s no single federal MSP application — you apply through your state’s Medicaid agency, and the process varies by state:

• Many states let you apply online through the state Medicaid or health and human services website
• You can also apply by mail, phone, or in person at your local Medicaid office
• Social Security offices and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) can help you find the right state office and paperwork

Apply even if your income looks slightly over the federal limit. Some states use higher thresholds than the federal minimums (Alaska and Hawaii already have higher limits built in), and many states now count income and resources differently than the federal formula — several have dropped the resource test altogether. It costs nothing to apply, and a denial doesn’t affect any other benefits you’re receiving.

7. FAQ

Is QMB the same as Medicaid?
No. QMB is an MSP funded through Medicaid administration, but it only pays your Medicare premiums and cost-sharing — it doesn’t give you the broader medical coverage that full Medicaid provides. You can have both QMB and full Medicaid if you qualify for each separately.

Does SLMB or QI automatically give me Extra Help for Part D?
Yes. Anyone enrolled in QMB, SLMB, or QI is automatically enrolled in Extra Help, so you don’t need to file a separate application for that piece.

What if I’m denied — can I appeal or reapply?
Yes to both. You can appeal a denial through your state’s Medicaid appeals process, and you can also reapply later if your income or resources change. For QI specifically, you need to reapply every year regardless of whether you were previously approved, since funding is allocated annually.

This article is for general informational purposes and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. Income and resource limits are updated annually and can vary by state — always confirm current figures on Medicare.gov or with your state Medicaid office before applying.