QMB and SLMB:
Medicare Savings Programs - At A Glance

Can save people on Medicare hundreds of dollars a year in Medicare Part B premiums and possibly thousands of dollars a year in deductibles and coinsurance payments. The QMB program requires every state to pay Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance for disabled individuals who meet certain income and asset guidelines. In order to be eligible for QMB in New York in 2007, a person has to:

• Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program;
• Have gross monthly income of no more than $851 a month (or $1,141 for a couple);
• Have assets below $4,000 for an individual and below $6,000 for a couple.

This program pays for the Medicare Part B premium, which is $93.50 per month in 2007. In order to be eligible for SLMB a person has to:

• Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program;
• Have gross monthly income of no more than $1021 per month (or $1,369 for a couple);
• Have assets below $4,000 for an individual and below $6,000 for a couple.

This program pays for the Part B premium. In order to be eligible for QI-1 in 2006 a person has to:

• Be currently enrolled in the Medicare program;
• Have gross monthly income of no more than $1,149 per month (or $1,540 for a couple);

There are no asset limits for QI-1.

In the past there have been limited funds for QI-1 and payments may be made on a "first come, first served basis" as long as funds are available.

For QMB and SLMB, assets do not include the person’s home, usually one car, burial plots or $1,500 in life insurance. Earned income does not include the first $65 per month and one-half the remainder when calculating countable gross income. These the are rules as applied in NYS, if you are not in NYS, check your local sources for the rules as they apply in your state.

If you think you or someone you know may be eligible for QMB, SLMB, or QI-1, contact your local Department of Social Services’ (the Human Resources Agency in NY City) Medicaid office.

Prepared by Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. - Updated February 2007
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