Delaware Medicare Savings Programs 2026: QMB, SLMB & QI

If you have Medicare and a limited income in Delaware, three programs can pay your Medicare premiums, and one of them wipes out your deductibles and copays entirely. They are called Medicare Savings Programs, and the state runs them through Delaware Medicaid. Delaware does not apply an asset test to these programs, so only your income counts. This guide shows the 2026 income limits, what each program pays, and how to apply.

What Are Delaware Medicare Savings Programs?

Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) are Medicaid-administered benefits that pay some or all of a low-income Medicare beneficiary's Medicare costs. QMB, SLMB, and QI are the three most people apply for, and every state must offer them. In Delaware, the Delaware Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance (DMMA), part of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), administers all three. (Medicaid.gov is the federal reference site; it does not run Delaware's programs.)1

Delaware uses the standard federal income tiers, set as a percentage of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL): QMB at or below 100% FPL, SLMB between 100% and 120% FPL, and QI between 120% and 135% FPL. The dollar limits below already build in the standard income disregards Delaware applies, so your countable income is usually a little lower than your gross paycheck or benefit.2

2026 Delaware Income Limits

Delaware applies an income test only. It does not count your assets or resources for any of the three programs. The income limits below are the 2026 monthly figures.1

Delaware does not apply an asset or resource test to its Medicare Savings Programs, so your savings, home, and other property do not affect eligibility. Only your income counts.1 Confirm the current income figures with DMMA when you apply, since the limits update each year.

QMB: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary

QMB is the most comprehensive program. If your monthly income is at or below $1,350 for one person or $1,824 for a couple, QMB covers (Delaware does not apply an asset test):1

• Your Medicare Part A premium (most people already have premium-free Part A)
• Your Medicare Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 20263
• The Part A inpatient hospital deductible, which is $1,736 per benefit period in 20263
• The Part B annual deductible, which is $283 in 20263
• All Medicare coinsurance and copays

Those figures are the standard 2026 Medicare amounts set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); QMB pays them so you do not have to.3 QMB also automatically qualifies you for Part D Extra Help.2

The QMB Billing Ban: You Cannot Be Billed for Cost-Sharing

Federal law bars any Medicare provider from billing a QMB enrollee for Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, or copays, under any circumstances. If you are enrolled in QMB and a provider sends you a bill for Medicare cost-sharing, do not pay it. Tell the provider you are a QMB enrollee and ask them to correct the charge.2 If the problem continues, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) at 1-800-336-9500 for free help resolving it.4

SLMB: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary

SLMB pays one thing: your Medicare Part B premium. At the 2026 standard premium of $202.90 a month, that is worth $2,434.80 a year back in your pocket.3

SLMB is for people whose income is a little too high for QMB: up to $1,616 a month for one person and $2,184 for a couple in 2026.1 It does not pay deductibles or copays, but like QMB it automatically qualifies you for Part D Extra Help.2

QI: Qualifying Individual

QI also pays the Part B premium only, at a slightly higher income band: up to $1,816 a month for one person and $2,455 for a couple in 2026.1 Two things set QI apart from QMB and SLMB:

1. Funding is limited, so apply early. QI is paid from a capped annual federal allotment rather than being an open entitlement, and Delaware awards it first-come, first-served. You also have to renew it each year. If you think you qualify, do not wait.2
2. You cannot combine QI with full Medicaid. If you already qualify for full Delaware Medicaid, you cannot enroll in QI. In that case you would receive your Part B premium help alongside full Medicaid instead.2

MSP Enrollment Unlocks Part D Extra Help

Every QMB, SLMB, and QI enrollee in Delaware is automatically deemed eligible for full Part D Extra Help, also called the Low-Income Subsidy. You do not file a separate application; DMMA transmits your enrollment to CMS, which handles the Extra Help side.2

For 2026, full Extra Help means a $0 Part D premium on a benchmark plan, a $0 annual deductible, and covered drugs that cost no more than $5.10 for a generic and $12.65 for a brand name.5 If you are not already in a Part D plan, CMS assigns you to a zero-premium benchmark plan, and you can switch plans during open enrollment without losing Extra Help.

Delaware Does Not Count Your Assets

Unlike many states, Delaware applies no asset or resource test to its Medicare Savings Programs. The DMMA rules state plainly that "your assets are not considered."1 Your savings, home, vehicles, investments, and other property do not affect whether you qualify; eligibility is based on your monthly income alone.

That makes Delaware more generous than states that cap countable resources: many Delaware seniors who would be over the asset limit elsewhere still qualify here. Do not rule yourself out over what you own; if your income is within the limits above, apply.

How to Apply for Delaware Medicare Savings Programs

You apply through Delaware Medicaid, and there are three ways to do it. You only need one.

Documents to Gather

• Medicare card (showing your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier)
• Social Security card or proof of your Social Security number
• Your most recent SSA award or cost-of-living letter
• Recent bank and investment account statements
• Pension or annuity statements, if you have them
• Proof of Delaware residency

Retroactive Coverage

• QMB starts the first day of the month after DMMA approves your application. Federal law does not allow retroactive QMB coverage.
• SLMB and QI can be granted for up to three months before your application month if you were eligible during that window. Filing early protects that retroactive period.

Where to Get Help

You do not have to figure this out alone. These Delaware and federal resources answer questions and help you apply for free.

Learn More

Find personalized help applying for Delaware 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.