Medicare Savings Programs help people with limited income pay their Medicare costs, starting with the Part B premium. Because these programs are run by the states, the income and asset limits can differ from one state to the next, which means the single federal number you saw somewhere else may not be the number that applies to you. This guide gives you the 2026 federal baseline, explains why you might still qualify where you live, and sends you to your state's full guide.

In This Guide

The Federal Baseline: QMB, SLMB, and QI Limits

Medicare Savings Programs are defined by your income compared to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), and each has a 2026 monthly income limit and the same asset limit. These are the federal baseline figures; your state may allow more, as explained below.

Program Income limit (2026) What it pays
QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) Up to 100% FPL, about $1,350/month for one person, $1,824 for a couple Part A and Part B premiums plus all Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays
SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) 100 to 120% FPL, about $1,616/month for one person, $2,184 for a couple The Part B premium
QI (Qualifying Individual) 120 to 135% FPL, about $1,816/month for one person, $2,455 for a couple The Part B premium (first-come, limited funding)

The asset limit for all three is the same in 2026: $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a married couple. A fourth program, the Qualified Disabled and Working Individual (QDWI), pays the Part A premium for certain working people with disabilities who lost their premium-free Part A.

What Each Program Pays

The three main programs are a ladder: the lower your income, the more the program covers.

  • QMB is the most generous. It pays your Part A and Part B premiums and covers all your Medicare cost-sharing, the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Just as important, federal law forbids providers from billing a QMB enrollee for that Medicare cost-sharing, so you should never get a surprise bill for it.
  • SLMB and QI both pay the Part B premium and nothing beyond it. The difference is income: SLMB covers 100 to 120 percent of the FPL, QI covers 120 to 135 percent.
  • QI has one catch: it is funded from a limited annual pot granted first-come, first-served, and you cannot receive QI if you also have full Medicaid.

There is one more benefit worth knowing, whichever program you land in: enrolling in any Medicare Savings Program automatically signs you up for Extra Help, the program that lowers your Part D prescription drug costs. One application, two forms of help.

Why You Might Still Qualify Where You Live

Here is the mistake that costs families money: they find the federal QMB income number, see that their income is a little higher, and decide not to apply. Because Medicare Savings Programs are run by the states, that federal number is a floor, not the last word.

Some states set higher income limits or apply income disregards that effectively raise the ceiling, so income that looks too high against the federal figure can still fall within the limit where you live. Alaska and Hawaii, for example, use higher income limits, and other states apply their own disregards. The practical rule: if you are anywhere near the federal limits, apply anyway, and confirm the current limits for your state rather than ruling yourself out on a national number.

That is exactly what your state's guide below is for. Open your state to see how its Medicare Savings Program rules work and how to apply.

Find Your State's Medicare Savings Program Guide

The programs are federal, but the limits and how you apply are set by your state. Open your state for its specific rules:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Medicare Savings Programs?

Medicare Savings Programs are state-run, Medicaid-administered programs that help people with limited income and resources pay their Medicare costs. The three main ones, QMB, SLMB, and QI, are set by your income compared to the Federal Poverty Level, and all three pay at least your Part B premium.

Do the income limits really vary by state?

Yes. The programs are federal, but states run them and some set higher income limits or apply income disregards, and Alaska and Hawaii use higher figures. So the federal number is a baseline, and you should confirm your state's current limit rather than assume you are over it. Open your state's guide above.

What are the 2026 income and asset limits?

As a federal baseline in 2026, QMB is about $1,350/month for one person ($1,824 for a couple), SLMB about $1,616 ($2,184), and QI about $1,816 ($2,455); the asset limit for all three is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple. Your state may allow more.

I think I'm over the federal limit. Should I still apply?

Yes. Because states can raise the income limit or apply disregards, families a little over the federal number often still qualify. Applying is the only way to find out, and being denied costs you nothing.

Does a Medicare Savings Program help with drug costs too?

Yes. Enrolling in any Medicare Savings Program automatically qualifies you for Extra Help, which lowers your Part D prescription drug costs.

Learn More

MedicareMedicare Savings Programs: How They Help Pay Your Medicare CostsMedicare Savings Programs help low-income enrollees pay Part B premiums and, with QMB, all cost-sharing. See the four MSPs, 2026 limits, and how to apply. MedicareExtra Help: Lowering Your Part D Drug CostsMedicare Extra Help can cut Part D drug costs to a few dollars a prescription. See 2026 income and resource limits, what it pays, and how to apply. MedicareDual Eligibility: Having Both Medicare and MedicaidWhat dual eligible means: how Medicare and Medicaid coordinate, full vs. partial duals, QMB cost protection, automatic Extra Help, and integrated D-SNP plans.
Your next step Not sure whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state? Brevy's care navigator can help you check the limits where you live and find how to apply.

Find personalized help applying for a Medicare Savings Program 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.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.