Alaska Medicare Savings Programs pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for income-eligible beneficiaries. The top tier, QMB, eliminates the Part B premium and all Medicare cost-sharing in one program.
What Are Alaska Medicare Savings Programs?
Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid-administered benefits that pay some or all of a low-income Medicare beneficiary's Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. QMB, SLMB, and QI are mandatory eligibility groups under Title XIX of the Social Security Act, meaning every state plan, including Alaska's, must cover them.
Alaska DPA administers all three programs. Financial eligibility uses the SSI-related income methodology, which applies two important income disregards: a $20/month general disregard on unearned income (applied first), and a $65 plus half of remaining earned income disregard for working beneficiaries. The income bands in this guide already reflect the $20 disregard.
QMB: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
QMB is the broadest of the three programs. It covers:
- The Medicare Part A premium (if any; most beneficiaries have premium-free Part A from 40 or more work quarters)
- The Medicare Part B premium ($185.00/month standard in 2026 per CMS)
- The Part A inpatient hospital deductible
- The Part B annual deductible
- All Medicare coinsurance and copays on every Medicare-covered service
2026 Alaska QMB income limit: at or below approximately $1,350/month for a single person (100% of the Federal Poverty Level with the $20 general income disregard applied). The couple limit is approximately $1,823/month.
QMB also confers automatic Part D Extra Help, eliminating most prescription drug cost-sharing without a separate application.
The QMB Billing Prohibition
Federal law at 42 USC §1396a(n)(3)(B) prohibits any Medicare provider from billing a QMB enrollee for Medicare cost-sharing, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. This covers both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage providers. If you are a QMB enrollee and receive such a bill, do not pay it. Contact DPA or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the issue.
SLMB: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
SLMB covers one benefit: the Medicare Part B premium. That single payment is worth $2,220/year at the 2026 standard premium rate.
2026 Alaska SLMB income limits: roughly $1,351 to $1,616/month for a single person, $1,824 to $2,178/month for a couple (100% to under 120% FPL with the $20 disregard applied).
SLMB does not pay deductibles or copays. But for a beneficiary with relatively modest medical use, eliminating the Part B premium is the dominant cost reduction. SLMB also confers automatic Part D Extra Help.
QI: Qualifying Individual
QI covers the Part B premium only, the same as SLMB, but at a higher income band: roughly $1,617 to $1,816/month for a single person, $2,179 to $2,437/month for a couple (2026 figures, 120% to under 135% FPL).
Two structural differences from QMB and SLMB:
- First-come, first-served. QI is funded through a capped federal allotment. Alaska enrolls on a first-come, first-served basis with a preference for prior-year QI enrollees. Unlike QMB and SLMB, QI is not an entitlement.
- Mutually exclusive with full Medicaid. A beneficiary who qualifies for full-benefit Alaska Medicaid cannot enroll in QI. They would instead qualify for QMB-Plus or SLMB-Plus, which add full Medicaid on top of the MSP benefit.
2026 Income Limits at a Glance
| Program | Single monthly income limit | Couple monthly income limit | What it pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| QMB | ~$1,350 | ~$1,823 | Part A + Part B premiums + all cost-sharing |
| SLMB | ~$1,351-$1,616 | ~$1,824-$2,178 | Part B premium only |
| QI | ~$1,617-$1,816 | ~$2,179-$2,437 | Part B premium only (capped allotment) |
Income limits are based on 100% FPL (QMB), 100-120% FPL (SLMB), and 120-135% FPL (QI) with the $20 general income disregard applied. Confirm exact current figures with DPA at the time of application.
Part D Extra Help
Every QMB, SLMB, and QI enrollee in Alaska is automatically deemed eligible for full Part D Extra Help (also called the Low-Income Subsidy, or LIS). No separate application is required.
Under the 2026 Part D benefit structure, Extra Help typically provides:
- $0 Part D premium on a benchmark plan
- $0 annual deductible
- Low fixed copays per prescription
- Significant reduction in out-of-pocket drug costs
The deeming flows automatically from DPA to CMS monthly after MSP enrollment. If you are not already in a Part D plan, CMS will auto-assign you to a zero-premium benchmark plan. You can switch plans during the annual open enrollment period without losing Extra Help.
What Resources Count
The MSP resource test excludes several major assets:
Excluded (do not count):
- Primary residence, regardless of value
- One vehicle, regardless of value
- Household goods and personal effects
- Prepaid burial arrangements
Counted:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, CDs
- Second vehicle or investment property
- Non-exempt cash-value life insurance
Many Alaska beneficiaries rule themselves out because they assume their home counts as a resource. It does not. An applicant living in a paid-off house can still qualify for QMB or SLMB as long as their bank balances and financial assets fall within the limit. DPA can confirm the exact resource limit at the time of application.
How to Apply for Alaska Medicaid
Alaska offers three application pathways:
1. Online via ARIES at dhss.alaska.gov/dpa. Create an account to track your application and upload documents.
2. By phone at 1-800-478-7778 (DPA Virtual Contact Center). Staff can take applications by phone and explain what documents to submit.
3. In person at a local DPA field office. Bring your Medicare card, Social Security award letter, and recent bank statements.
Through Social Security. Applying for Part D Extra Help at SSA using Form SSA-1020 generates a referral to Alaska Medicaid. SSA is required by federal law to forward the application to the state, and your SSA application date serves as your protected filing date.
Documents to Gather Before You Apply
- Medicare card (showing Medicare Beneficiary Identifier / MBI)
- Social Security card or proof of Social Security number
- Most recent SSA benefit award or COLA letter
- Recent bank and investment account statements
- Pension or annuity statements, if applicable
- Proof of Alaska residency
Retroactive Coverage and Effective Dates
- QMB: coverage begins the first day of the month after DPA approves the application. Federal law (42 USC §1396a(e)(8)) prohibits retroactive QMB coverage. Apply as early as possible.
- SLMB and QI: up to three months of retroactive coverage is available under 42 CFR §435.915 if you were eligible during that period. File early to maximize the retroactive window.
Frequently Asked Questions
An Alaska Medicare beneficiary with monthly income at or below approximately $1,350/month (single) and countable resources within the MSP resource limit. The primary home and one vehicle are excluded. QMB pays Part A and Part B premiums plus all Medicare cost-sharing including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
No. Every QMB, SLMB, and QI enrollee in Alaska is automatically deemed eligible for full Part D Extra Help. DPA transmits the deeming information to CMS monthly. If you are not already in a Part D plan, CMS will assign you to a zero-premium benchmark plan.
Do not pay the bill. Federal law at 42 USC §1396a(n)(3)(B) prohibits any Medicare provider from billing QMB enrollees for Medicare cost-sharing. Contact 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the issue.
No. QI is not available to beneficiaries who qualify for full Medicaid. If you qualify for full Alaska Medicaid, you would instead qualify for QMB-Plus or SLMB-Plus, which combine the MSP cost-sharing protection with the full Medicaid benefit.
Yes, for up to three months if you were eligible during that window. QMB has no retroactive coverage; it starts the month after DPA approves your application. File SLMB and QI applications as early as possible to maximize the retroactive period.
Learn More
- Alaska Medicaid: A Guide for Seniors and Families
- How to Apply for Alaska Medicaid
- Alaska Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Rules
Find personalized help applying for Alaska Medicare Savings Programs at brevy.com.
The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.