There are four Medicare Savings Programs. Each state administers its own version, and many states set higher income limits than the federal floor or ignore resources entirely. The figures below are the 2026 federal baseline for the 48 contiguous states and DC — your state may be more generous. Find your state on the state map.
The four programs (2026 federal baseline)
QMB — Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
At or below 100% FPL (+ $20 disregard)Part A & Part B premiums, plus deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. The most comprehensive MSP. QMB enrollees are also automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income limit — individual
- $1,350/mo
- Income limit — couple
- $1,824/mo
- Resource limit — individual
- $9,990
- Resource limit — couple
- $14,930
SLMB — Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary
Between 100% and 120% FPLPart B premium only. SLMB enrollees are automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income limit — individual
- $1,616/mo
- Income limit — couple
- $2,184/mo
- Resource limit — individual
- $9,990
- Resource limit — couple
- $14,930
QI — Qualifying Individual
Between 120% and 135% FPLPart B premium only. Limited annual funding — apply early each year. QI enrollees are automatically enrolled in full Extra Help.
- Income limit — individual
- $1,816/mo
- Income limit — couple
- $2,455/mo
- Resource limit — individual
- $9,990
- Resource limit — couple
- $14,930
QDWI — Qualified Disabled & Working Individual
At or below 200% FPL (with earned-income disregards)Part A premium for certain people under 65 who returned to work and lost premium-free Part A. QDWI does NOT automatically confer Extra Help. Income limit is up to 200% FPL but earned-income disregards raise the effective ceiling — check with your state.
- Income limit — individual
- See note
- Income limit — couple
- See note
- Resource limit — individual
- $4,000
- Resource limit — couple
- $6,000
Federal baseline MSP resource limits are CPI-adjusted annually; a handful of states disregard resources entirely. Confirm the current figure with your state Medicaid office or SHIP counselor before relying on it.
The automatic Extra Help link
This is the part most charts leave out: if you enroll in QMB, SLMB, or QI, you are automatically enrolled in full Extra Help — you do not file a separate Extra Help application. (QDWI is the exception; it helps pay the Part A premium and does not automatically confer Extra Help.) That makes an MSP application a two-for-one: it can pay your Medicare premiums and trigger full prescription-drug help.
How to apply for an MSP
You apply through your state Medicaid office, not Social Security. Each state runs its own intake, forms, and (where it applies) resource rules. Your state page lists the agency and the application path, and a free SHIP counselor can help you apply at no cost.