Episode 25 Block 3 Published
Medicare Savings Programs: Free Help Most People Don't Know Exists
Watch on YouTube Millions of Medicare beneficiaries qualify for programs that pay their premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance entirely, and they have no idea these programs exist. This episode covers QMB, SLMB, QI, and Extra Help: income limits, asset rules, how to apply, and the balance billing protection most providers will not tell you about. Watch the next video in this series to learn about Medicare and employer coverage coordination when you are still working at sixty-five.
▶ Watch next: Medicare and Employer Coverage at 65: The 20-Employee Rule That Changes Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwzYfyVWLfg
📺 Full playlist: Medicare (US - 2026) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlIAFxS29648I08akd—o7PeoOBzdOb2S
Millions of Medicare beneficiaries qualify for programs that pay their premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance — and do not know these programs exist. The Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, QI) have income thresholds that are higher than most people expect, and Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy) can save thousands per year on Part D drug costs. These are not welfare — they are government programs specifically designed for Medicare beneficiaries with modest income. This episode walks through every program, the income limits, how to apply, and how to tell if you qualify.
Key Topics
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): pays your Part A premium, Part B premium, and all deductibles and coinsurance — income limit in twenty twenty-six is one thousand three hundred fifty dollars per month for an individual, one thousand eight hundred twenty-four dollars for a couple
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): pays your Part B premium — income limit is one thousand six hundred sixteen dollars per month individual, two thousand one hundred eighty-four dollars for a couple in twenty twenty-six
- QI (Qualifying Individual): pays your Part B premium — income limit is one thousand eight hundred sixteen dollars per month individual, two thousand four hundred fifty-five dollars for a couple in twenty twenty-six; first-come first-served funding
- Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy): pays Part D premiums, deductibles, and reduces copays to a few dollars per prescription — income and asset limits are higher than most people expect
- How to apply: contact your state Medicaid office, call one-800-MEDICARE, or visit a SHIP counselor — applications are free and annual re-enrollment may be required
- Asset limits: SLMB limits are nine thousand six hundred sixty dollars individual, fourteen thousand four hundred seventy dollars couple; QI limits are nine thousand nine hundred fifty dollars individual, fourteen thousand nine hundred ten dollars couple — but some assets (your home, one car, burial funds) are excluded
- The interaction with other programs: QMB beneficiaries are protected from balance billing — no provider can charge you more than the Medicare-approved amount, period