Question
Can my state help pay my Medicare premiums?
Yes. Medicare Savings Programs are state programs that help pay your Medicare premiums, and sometimes your deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, if your income and resources are limited. You apply through your state.
The amounts
| 2026 | 2027 | |
|---|---|---|
| QMB: monthly income limit, one person | $1,350Official | Not published yet |
| SLMB: monthly income limit, one person | $1,616Official | Not published yet |
| QI: monthly income limit, one person | $1,816Official | Not published yet |
| QMB, SLMB, or QI: resource limit, one person | $9,950Official | Not published yet |
What matters most
What these programs pay
Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium. Some can also pay your Part A premium, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
There are a few programs
There are four programs. The one you get depends on your income and resources, and your state decides which one you qualify for.
You also get Extra Help
If you qualify for one of these programs, you also get Extra Help paying for your prescription drugs.
Want the detail? How it works, a worked example and common mix-ups are in .
Words on this page
- Medicare Savings Program
- a state program that helps pay your Medicare costs if your income and resources are limited
- Premium
- the monthly amount you pay to have Medicare coverage
- Resources
- things you own that count toward the limit, like money in the bank
- QMB
- the program that helps with the most costs: premiums plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments
Who can answer for your situation
You apply through your state, so contact your state Medicaid office; your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you through it.
People often read next
- Often confused withWhat is Extra Help, and could I qualify?
Commonly confused; qualifying for a savings program also gets you Extra Help.
- RelatedWhat does Part B cost?
These programs can pay the Part B premium described there.
- RelatedWhat does Part A cost?
Some of these programs help with Part A premiums and costs too.
General education, not individualized advice. For your own situation, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).