State programs can save you money

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You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare
Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions.

There are 4 kinds of Medicare Savings Programs:

  1. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)
  2. Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary(SLMB)
  3. Qualifying Individual (QI)
  4. Qualified Disabled & Working Individuals(QDWI)

If you qualify for a QMB, SLMB, or QI program, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

3 important questions

If you answer “yes” to these 3 questions, visit Medicare.gov, or call your Medicaid office to see if you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program in your state:

1. Do you have, or are you eligible for Part A? If you aren’t sure, look on your red, white, and blue Medicare card, or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

2. Is your income for 2017 at or below the income limits listed below?

income chart mediare

3. Do you have limited resources? The 2017 resource limits for the QMB, SLMB, and QI programs are $7,390 for one person and $11,090 for a married couple. Resource limits for the QDWI program are $4,000 for one person or $6,000 for a married couple. Countable resources include money in a checking or savings account, stocks, and bonds. When you count your resources, don’t include your home, one car, burial plot, up to $1,500 for burial costs if you’ve put that money aside, furniture, or other household and personal items.