Maine Medicare Savings Programs pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing for income-eligible beneficiaries. QMB, the most comprehensive tier, eliminates the Part B premium and all Medicare cost-sharing in one program.
What Are Maine 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; every state plan must cover them, including Maine's MaineCare program.
Maine DHHS Office for Family Independence (OFI) administers all three programs. The eligibility methodology applies a $20/month general income disregard on unearned income and a $65 plus half of remaining earned income disregard for working beneficiaries. The income bands below reflect the $20 disregard.
QMB: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
QMB is the broadest program. It covers:
- The Medicare Part A premium (most beneficiaries have premium-free Part A)
- 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
2026 Maine QMB income limit: at or below approximately $1,350/month for a single person (100% FPL with $20 disregard). The couple limit is approximately $1,823/month.
QMB also confers automatic Part D Extra Help.
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. If you receive such a bill, do not pay it. Contact Maine OFI or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also reach the Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-800-262-2232 for free help disputing any bill.
SLMB: Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
SLMB covers one benefit: the Medicare Part B premium, worth $2,220/year at the 2026 standard rate.
2026 Maine SLMB income limits: approximately $1,351 to $1,616/month for a single person, $1,824 to $2,178/month for a couple.
SLMB does not pay deductibles or copays, but it does confer automatic Part D Extra Help.
QI: Qualifying Individual
QI covers the Part B premium only, at a higher income band: approximately $1,617 to $1,816/month single, $2,179 to $2,437/month couple (2026 figures).
Two key differences from QMB and SLMB:
- First-come, first-served. QI is funded through a capped federal allotment and is not an entitlement. Maine enrolls on a first-come, first-served basis with preference for prior-year QI enrollees.
- Mutually exclusive with full Medicaid. If you qualify for full MaineCare, you cannot enroll in QI. You would instead qualify for QMB-Plus or SLMB-Plus.
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) |
Confirm exact current figures with Maine OFI at the time of application.
Part D Extra Help
Every Maine QMB, SLMB, and QI enrollee is automatically deemed eligible for full Part D Extra Help. No separate application is required. CMS will assign unenrolled Extra Help recipients to a zero-premium benchmark Part D plan.
Resources That Count and Resources That Do Not
The MSP resource test excludes several major assets:
Excluded (do not count):
- Primary residence, regardless of value
- One vehicle
- Household goods and personal effects
- Prepaid burial arrangements
Counted:
- Checking and savings accounts
- Stocks, bonds, CDs
- Non-exempt cash-value life insurance
Note: MaineCare's LTC asset limit for nursing facility and HCBS waiver applicants is approximately $10,000 (base $2,000 plus $8,000 savings disregard). MSPs use a separate, federally set resource limit that OFI applies at the time of application. The home is excluded from both.
How to Apply for Maine Medicaid
1. Online via My Maine Connection at mymaineconnection.maine.gov. Create an account or apply without one.
2. By phone at 1-855-797-4357 (Maine DHHS eligibility line). OFI staff can take applications and explain documents needed.
3. In person at a Maine DHHS OFI office. Bring your Medicare card, Social Security award letter, and recent bank statements. Find your local OFI office at maine.gov/dhhs/ofi.
Through Social Security. Applying for Part D Extra Help at SSA using Form SSA-1020 generates a referral to MaineCare. SSA is required by federal law to forward the application, and your SSA application date serves as your protected filing date.
Documents to Gather
- Medicare card (showing Medicare Beneficiary Identifier)
- Social Security card or SSN proof
- Most recent SSA award or COLA letter
- Recent bank and investment account statements
- Pension or annuity statements, if applicable
- Proof of Maine residency
Retroactive Coverage
- QMB: starts the first day of the month after OFI approves the application. No retroactive QMB coverage under federal law.
- SLMB and QI: up to three months retroactive under 42 CFR §435.915 if you were eligible then. File early.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Maine 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.
No. Every MaineCare QMB, SLMB, and QI enrollee is automatically deemed eligible for full Part D Extra Help. OFI transmits the deeming information to CMS monthly.
Do not pay the bill. Federal law prohibits any Medicare provider from billing a QMB enrollee for Medicare cost-sharing. Call 1-800-MEDICARE or contact Maine SHIP at 1-800-262-2232 for free assistance.
No. If you qualify for full MaineCare, you cannot be on QI. You would instead qualify for QMB-Plus or SLMB-Plus, which combine MSP benefits with full Medicaid coverage.
Yes, for up to three months if you were eligible during that period. QMB has no retroactive coverage; it starts the month after OFI approves your application. File SLMB and QI applications as early as possible.
Learn More
- Maine Medicaid: A Guide for Seniors and Families
- How to Apply for Maine Medicaid
- Maine Medicaid Spousal Impoverishment Rules
Find personalized help applying for Maine 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.