Getting help with paying for Medicare

              Specified Low-income Medicare beneficiary program (SLMB)**

A Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program is part of the Medicare Savings Programs. These programs assist individuals with low income or limited resources in covering the costs of Medicare. Specifically, the SLMB program helps pay for Medicare Part B premiums. To qualify for SLMB benefits, you or your spouse must meet certain income and resource requirements.

Eligibility:

Monthly income limit:

     Individual: $1,585

        *Resource limit: $9,660

     Married couple: $2,135

        *Resource limit: $14,470

                  Qualified Medicare beneficiary program (QMB)**

Helps pay for: Part A premiums; Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments (for services and items Medicare covers)

Eligibility:

Monthly income limit

        Individual: $1,325

             *Resource limit: $9,660

      Married Couple: $1,783

             *Resource limit: $14,470

               Qualified Disabled & Working Individual (QDWI) Program**

Helps pay for Part A premiums if you lost Your Social Security disability benefits and Medicare premium-free Part A because you returned to work. Must have a disability and are working

Eligibility

Monthly income and resource limits

       Individual: $5,302

           *Resource Limit: $4,000

      Married couple: $7,135

           *Resource limit: 6,000

      Individual: $1,781

           *Resource Limit: $9,660

      Married couple: $2,400

           *Resource limit: $14,470  

*(Resource Limit)

• Money in a checking, savings, or retirement account
• Stocks
• Bonds

                                           Extra Help program**

The Medicare Extra Help Program is a federal program that’s designed to help those who have limited income and resources pay for Medicare prescription drug program costs, such as premiums, deductibles and coinsurance payments. Under the Medicare Extra Help Program, you also won’t need to pay the Part D late enrollment penalty that is imposed for not enrolling in a prescription drug plan when you’re first eligible.

When you receive Extra Help, your drug plan ensures you never pay more than the Low-Income Subsidy coverage cost limit. 

To qualify for the Medicare Extra Help Program, your financial resources and income must be below certain thresholds. 

       $23,590 for individuals

       $31,725 for married couples living together.

Enrollment

People who are receiving full Medicaid coverage, receiving help from the state paying Medicare part B premiums or receiving supplemental security income from Social Security. 

You should also note that not all cash payments count toward the annual income limit. 

The following payments do not count as income when determining the income limits for Extra Help:

   Scholarships and education grants

   Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits

   Housing assistance

   Earning income tax credit payments

   Payments from others to help cover your household expenses

   Home energy assistance

   Disaster assistance

   Medical treatment and drugs

   Victim’s compensation payments   

• Plan premium: $0
• Plan deductible: $0
• Prescriptions you fill at one of your plan's participating pharmacies:
  
  • Up to $5.10 for each generic drug
  • Up to $12.65 for each brand-name drug
  • Once your total drug costs (including certain payments made on your behalf, like through the Extra Help program) reach $2,100, you’ll pay $0 for each covered drug.

Note that these limits may change annually, so it’s essential to check the Medicare Savings Programs page for the most up-to-date income requirements.

These income limits are for all states except for Hawaii and Alaska

 How to apply

To apply for any of these programs, contact your state Medicaid Program.

** Source: Medicare.gov