Medicare Savings Programs: QMB, SLMB and QI Explained (2026 Limits)

QMB pays the Part A premium for people who don’t get it free, the Part B premium, and Medicare’s deductibles, coinsurance and copays (Medicare.gov).

It also protects your parent from bills: Medicare providers aren’t allowed to bill a QMB member for services and items Medicare covers, including deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Your parent may still get a bill for a small Medicaid copayment, if one applies. Show both the Medicare card and the Medicaid or QMB card at every appointment.

Is QMB full Medicaid? Not on its own. CMS separates “QMB only”, which covers Medicare costs, from “QMB plus”, which is QMB together with full Medicaid benefits (CMS). The same split applies to SLMB.

SLMB and QI both pay the Part B premium, which is $202.90 a month in 2026 (Medicare.gov), or about $2,435 a year.

• SLMB is for income up to $1,616 a month for one person
• QI is for income up to $1,816. Your parent must reapply every year, places are first-come, first-served with priority for last year’s members, and it is only for people who don’t qualify for other Medicaid

QMB, SLMB and QI members also get Extra Help with prescription drug costs, paying no more than $12.65 per drug in 2026.

The federal resource limit is $9,950 for one person and $14,910 for a couple in 2026 (CMS). Resources are things like bank accounts, stocks and bonds. Under the SSI rules that MSPs build on, the home, one car, household goods and small burial funds don’t count (SSA).

States can be more generous: some don’t count certain types or amounts of income or resources, so a parent can qualify even above the federal limits. Medicare’s own advice is to apply even if you don’t think you qualify.

MSP help is also protected after death: Medicaid estate recovery can never include help with Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. See Medicaid estate recovery.

If your parent is also heading toward long-term care, see long-term care Medicaid eligibility.

1. 1

   Gather the paperwork

   The Medicare card, ID, proof of income (Social Security and pension award letters) and recent statements for every bank and investment account.

2. 2

   Apply through the state Medicaid office

   MSPs are run by states, so the application goes to the state or county Medicaid office, not to Medicare. Many states take applications online.

3. 3

   Apply even if it looks close

   States can disregard some income and resources, so a parent slightly over the federal limits may still qualify.

4. 4

   Check the premium stops

   Once approved, the state pays the Part B premium, so it should stop being taken from your parent’s Social Security payment.

5. 5

   Renew on time

   QI must be renewed every year. For QMB and SLMB, watch for the state’s renewal notices.